James Harden to Houston Rockets

The 2012 Sixth Man of the Year has been traded to the Houston Rockets after failing to agree on a contract extension with Oklahoma City Thunder, last season’s NBA finalists and Harden’s team since 2010. The Rockets sent Kevin Martin and Jeremy Lamb to OKC in exchange for Harden, Lazar Hayward, Daequan Cook and Cole Aldrich.

Fans have been questioning OKC general manager Sam Presti's decision to trade Harden days before the regular season begins as he is one of OKC's key players. And they have every right to. The main reason for this huge trade is money (Isn't that almost always the case?). Harden turned down a four year contract extension with OKC approximately worth $55 million because he wanted a max deal. However, OKC wouldn't give it to him probably because a big chunk of their money is rightly going to Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.  

The deal OKC got in return for trading Harden is pretty good—Martin and Lamb. Although he dealt with a shoulder injury last year, Martin has been a good shooter in his eight-season-NBA-career. It seems that he will work well with Durant and Westbrook. 20-year-old Lamb was a great scorer in college (2011 NCAA Champion) and has so much potential to fit in with OKC as well.

From a financial perspective, OKC’s decision makes sense and there is no doubt they will still be a contender for the finals this season under Scott Brooks' coaching. By trading Harden, OKC has money available to obtain other potential long-term players. But from an emotional perspective, Harden fans (including myself) will have a hard time getting used to the fact that the Sixth Man won’t be a part of Oklahoma anymore. 

What are your thoughts on the Harden trade?