James Harden Trade: Houston Rockets Send Martin, Lamb to Oklahoma City Thunder

Oct 27, 2012 11:54 PM EDT
James Harden
U.S. Olympic basketball player Harden watches during a training session ahead of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the M.E.N Arena in Manchester"

There was no "Breaking News" report in the middle of the World Series to announce James Harden's trade to the Houston Rockets Saturday night.

In return, the Oklahoma City Thunder received rookie Jeremy Lamb and veteran Kevin Martin from Houston for their shooting guard who mainly played off the bench.

The Sixth Man of the Year will be playing in a new home after a summer filled with questions as he wondered if he would receive a contract extension from OKC. 

Obviously, that is no longer an option. 

The Thunder get a rookie who was the 12th pick in the 2012 Draft in Lamb. The guard/forward came from UConn. During the NBA preseason, he averaged 6.2 points, 1.3 assists and 3.5 rebounds in six games played.

OKC gets another first round pick, but from the 2004 draft in Martin. He is injury prone, but when healthy, he is one of the best finishers at the basket. He has averaged 18.4 points, 2.1 assist and almost a steal per game in his eight year career.

The Rockets get Jeremy Lin a scorer on the outside who can open up the floor for the point guard. 

Harden's early career was strictly from the bench. He is only 23-years-old, but has three years of NBA experience under his belt.

He has an Olympic gold medal, a Western Conference championship and a ton of playoff experience. 

Last season, he averaged 16.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1 steal a game. 

Harden will make a return to the Cheeapeake Bay Arena on November 28 when the Rockets travel to OKC. It should be an emotional reunion.

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