Is the Harden trade an all time top 5 worst trade?

They need to amnesty Perkins and give money to Harden over Ibaka. Not sure it could have been done, but there may have a way to do it.

Just remember OKC fans, they wanted to keep Perkins.

In hindsight, probably.

Yeah, how could the Rockets trade Kevin Martin and all those draft picks for a bench player who disappeared in the Finals? Morey is an idiot.

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That trade worked great for both teams. The Lakers got two titles. The Grizz got a pretty good younger brother.

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But that wasn't the story at the time. The first 2 or 3 years after that trade it seemed like the Grizzlies gave up Pau for nothing.

#4 on all-time worst trade list

OKC could of def made it work. But doesnt mean that would of been the right move.

Hardens a stud. No doubt. But he doesnt really bring much to the table that OKC doesnt have already. Hes a great perimeter scorer. But OKC has Durant and Westbrook. Only so many shots to go around.

And I get why they gave the $$$ to Ibaka and not to Harden. Ibaka has a very unique set of skills for any team. But especially for OKC. Hardens set of skills were that of KD and Westbrook. And OKC already doesnt have that many good bigs on their team. Imagine how bad they would be without Ibaka. Especially on D.

Ibaka brings something to OKC that they really really needed and is a rare talent, while Hardens talent was something that OKC had in 2 players in KD and Westbrook.

They should of amnestied Perkins and paid Harden, and Ibaka. But, if it came down to keeping Ibaka or Harden, I understand why they kept Ibaka over him. Not saying Ibaka is a better player than Harden or whatever, but he brings something to the OKC team that they lacked and sorely needed.

I think they would be worse with no Ibaka, but still having Harden.

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I think they would be worse with no Ibaka, but still having Harden.

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Yep I agree 100%.

And they dont start because of defensive reasons. If they would have started Harden there starters would of been Westbrook (6'4" , Harden (6'4) and KD(6'10). None of those guys can guard a good 3 guard. Thabo is 1 of the best defenders in the league. And 1 of the most important things for an NBA team to have is a stud 6th man that can score when the starters are resting. Look at Manu, Jamal Crawford, etc.

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The first 2 or 3 years after that trade it seemed like the Grizzlies gave up Pau for nothing.

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a. at the time, pau was seen as a guy who didn't deserve to make the all-star game

b. it cleared up their cap. you trade a good, expensive player for cap relief, a young player or 2, and picks. the grizz got all of those. crit didn't pan out, but mark gasol did. plus the cap space allowed them to trade for z-bo, when he was dumped

Sure his offensive stats arent great. He is playing with KD and Westbrook.

But do you really think they signed Ibaka for his offensive game?? Nope. They signed him for his D and his 3.7 blocks a game. And when he doesnt block the shot, he alters it and forces a miss shot.

People also forget Ibaka is just 24 years old, and has only played basketball for 9 years. Hes just beginning to scratch the surface of his basketball ability. You dont sign a young guy to a big deal for the player he is. You sign him for the player hes going to become.