Houston Rockets star James Harden lands in Brooklyn in blockbuster four-team trade

Rockets star James Harden lands in Brooklyn in blockbuster four-team trade originally appeared on NBC Sports Northwest

After James Harden reportedly listed the Portland Trail Blazers on his preferred list of destinations, it appears the superstar guard is headed to Brooklyn.

As first reported by Shams Charania, Houston has traded the eight-time NBA All-Star to Brooklyn as part of a blockbuster deal involving four teams.

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The Rockets will receive three Nets first-round picks (2022, 2024, 2026), one Milwaukee pick currently owned by Cleveland (2022 unprotected) and four pick swaps. Houston also acquired Caris LeVert in the trade, as well as Dante Exum and Rodions Kurucs, per Charania. The Cavs will get Jarrett Allen and Taurean Prince in the deal.

Houston has since shipped off LeVert and a second-rounder in a trade to Indiana in exchange for Victor Oladipo.

The move comes just hours after the disgruntled Rockets star took the podium on Tuesday night following his team’s second-consecutive blowout loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, and stated why he didn’t believe Houston has what it takes to be a contender.

“We're just not good enough. We don't, obviously, chemistry, talent-wise, just everything, and it was clear these last few games," Harden said on January 12. "I love this city. I literally have done everything that I can. I mean, this situation is crazy. It’s something that I don’t think can be fixed."

Over the last few weeks, Houston’s front office has reportedly explored trades with a half dozen teams. It’s unclear if the Trail Blazers were a team in the mix, as Harden had added Portland to his list of possible landing spots.

[RELATED: James Harden might want Portland, but Portland might not want him back]

And now we'll never know. One thing we can now confirm: the Trail Blazers have caught wind of Wednesday's happenings. 

Portland's schedule for the second-half of the season has not yet been released, so there’s no word yet on when we will get another Lillard vs. Harden showdown this season, but as always, we are very much looking forward to it.