ROCKETS DEAL HARDEN FOR SLEW OF PLAYERS AND PICKS

The Houston Rockets have pulled the trigger on a blockbuster deal, sending disgruntled star James Harden to the Brooklyn Nets in a four-team deal that also involves Indiana and Cleveland.

Houston receives a package from the Nets that includes multiple players and draft picks and guard Caris LeVert, who was then dealt to the Pacers for shooting guard Victor Oladipo.

The Rockets also receive Cleveland point guard Dante Exum and Brooklyn forward Rodions Kurucs.

Houston also receives Brooklyn's three unprotected first-round draft picks -- in 2022, 2024 and 2026 -- plus pick swaps in 2021, 2023, 2025 and 2027. The Rockets also get Cleveland's 2022 first-round pick, via the Milwaukee Bucks.  Houston is also sending a 2023 second-round pick to the Pacers.

Harden had made continual requests to be dealt from the Rockets in the past months.  The final straw likely earlier this week when he made disparaging public comments about the current team.

After a loss to the Lakers, Harden (who scored just 16 points, making just five of 18 shots) said the team ‘just isn’t good enough’, ‘can’t be fixed’ and that he’s ‘done everything I can’.

Current Rockets’ center DeMarcus ‘Boogie’ Cousins blasted Harden after the deal was announced.

Cousins called Harden ‘disrespectful’ and his antics ‘completely unfair to the rest of the players on the team’.

The Rockets have lost four of their last five games with Harden showing little effort, averaging 17 points and shooting 37% from the floor.

The Rockets visit San Antonio, Thursday night.