When LSU forward Tari Eason was picked by the Rockets at No. 17 in the 2022 NBA draft, he became the first draft asset from the blockbuster James Harden trade (the January 2021 version involving Brooklyn and Houston) to be realized. But he’s far from the last.
Because of that Harden deal, the Rockets have a first-round pick headed their way from the Nets or a right to swap first-round picks with Brooklyn in each of the next five drafts, through 2027. All are unprotected, meaning that even if one of those Brooklyn picks ended up at No. 1 in the first round, it could still go to Houston.
Thus, what’s bad for Brooklyn’s long-term outlook is good for Houston’s future, and vice versa. Now, with a pair of All-Stars in Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant traded in recent days, the Nets are suddenly devoid of elite talent for the remainder of those years.
Here’s how Rockets fans reacted early Thursday morning to the news that Durant is headed to Phoenix for a trade package headlined by Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, and future draft compensation.
The Nets are trading Kevin Durant to the Phoenix Suns for a package including Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, four first-round picks and additional draft compensation, league sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. https://t.co/fJoFHv3i7M
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 9, 2023
Two years after the Rockets made the Harden trade, Harden, Kyrie and now KD are all out of Brooklyn.
The Rockets may be in business now with those picks: Unprotected firsts in 2024 and 2026 and unprotected swaps in 2023, 2025, 2027. https://t.co/9Ss7HGprWB
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) February 9, 2023
Rafael Stone after the Nets traded KD/Kyrie/Harden pic.twitter.com/GxWMcdr4Ys
— Anthony Duckett (@a_duckett) February 9, 2023
Wrote about it this morning (or technically yesterday):
This is the type of Durant trade construct that signals the Nets are opting for a LONG rebuild. https://t.co/tGMCTtozsS
— Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) February 9, 2023
— ᵂᴵᴸᴸ (@BiasedHouston) February 9, 2023
Only one playoff series win over 4 seasons during the Durant-Kyrie era. Awful. https://t.co/E0uQOQgTFH
— Jake Asman (@JakeAsman) February 9, 2023
THANK YOU PHOENIX SUNS pic.twitter.com/NqqAVti0k4
— jeff (@retrojeffhoops) February 9, 2023
G-d saw that horrible call tonight and blessed us with a KD trade. #Rockets
— David Weiner (@BimaThug) February 9, 2023
Brooklyn’s downfall is upon us
— Eric (@PointGods) February 9, 2023
We prayed on Brooklyn’s downfall and we have been blessed. Hallelujah amen.
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) February 9, 2023
Them Nets picks lookin SPECTACULAR though
— Jason Williams (@AstroRocket) February 9, 2023
RAFAEL STONE MASTERCLASS
— zach woolley (@WoolleyZach) February 9, 2023
Rafael Stone fleeced the Nets out of their future bro. I don’t ever wanna hear niggas say we lost the Harden deal again
— Xavier Thibodeaux (@zayiceman171) February 9, 2023
Build Rafael Stone’s statue right now. https://t.co/YADCB0WX4x
— 2x World Series Champion Hamberdler* (@Whata_Berger) February 9, 2023
Good for the Suns, but the real winner here is the Rockets.
Rafael Stone is somewhere smiling. https://t.co/VLadlbXTvi
— Chancellor Johnson (@ChancellorTV) February 9, 2023
Talked about it here, but with uncertainty around Brooklyn’s trajectory, now may be the time for Houston to cash in an asset from the Harden trade. The value of the Brooklyn picks/swaps, as of this moment, is high due to the uncertainty. https://t.co/FLrWN8uSmR
— Alykhan Bijani (@Rockets_Insider) February 9, 2023
I would be looking to cash in on at least some of the BKN picks right now. The current value is high and their future value is still extremely volatile despite how underwhelming BKN’s roster looks at this moment in time.
— RedNinetyFour (@RedNinetyFour) February 9, 2023
I would absolutely inquire about Bridges, particularly if the Rockets are committed to playing through Sengun at center (which I don’t think they are.) We would want to stack as much length and defense as possible around him. Bridges would also help reset the culture here.
— RedNinetyFour (@RedNinetyFour) February 9, 2023
Rockets should consider taking some profit on these Nets picks – value went up, but future of them is still very uncertain.
Use that to your advantage if oppty presents itself today
— StanfordKP (@stanfordkp) February 9, 2023
Booooooooom!!!! What a day for the Houston Rockets https://t.co/QouXUXkptT
— StanfordKP (@stanfordkp) February 9, 2023
Good morning, #RocketsTwitter, what's poppin? ☕️ pic.twitter.com/fAHEs7CHCT
— Chris A. White 🐻 (@fyrebear) February 9, 2023
I'm still shook from the KD news#ThisLeague
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) February 9, 2023
"All those picks will be in the late 20's" pic.twitter.com/lDRblR2Cbg
— Rob Kimbell (@RobKSports) February 9, 2023
The #Rockets got shit on for taking "A Bunch of Late Firsts" instead of Ben Simmons.
3 years later, those are looking like lottery picks and Ben Simmons is widely regarded as one of the worst contracts.
Give the man his flowers, he nailed the most important trade in his tenure. pic.twitter.com/YEvABqxi9I
— Paulo Alves (@PauloAlvesNBA) February 9, 2023
If I’m the rockets the max I’d offer is mil 1st, Bk24 1st pick, and 25 swap for bridges. This would allow BK to tank next 3 yrs. And incentivize the tank the rest of the year increasing our odds for wemby and scoot. Bridges could easily be flipped in another year for more assets
— Madison Moore (@MadManLeaks) February 9, 2023
People saying this BKN team is a playoff quality team goes back to what I said about overcorrecting on 3&D players. 3&D players aren't very valuable without the creation around them
— Kyle Chilek (@Kchile22) February 9, 2023
People still think stars will want to play in Brooklyn. Please pay attention https://t.co/2JvMXPi0GG
— Nathan Fogg (@NathanFogg1) February 9, 2023
the nets traded 3 generational offensive talents and the best player they got in return was mikal bridges
— jeff (@retrojeffhoops) February 9, 2023
