Grading the Mock Trade: Rockets sell the farm for James Harden

The Houston Rockets may reunite with James Harden someday, but a new trade proposal has them making a foolish decision in pursuit of their former star.

FadeAwayWorld would beg to differ. They recently suggested a deal that has Harden heading back to Space City. Here are the details:

Dear God.

Strap in, folks. Spoiler alert: this deal is going to get a bad grade. This deal is a disaster for the Rockets:

They can't make it under any circumstances.

Rockets must prioritize future to some extent

Quick question: Who's better right now? Harden, or Kevin Durant?

Statistically speaking, Harden has a distinct edge. His 5.6 Box Plus/Minus (BPM) towers over Durant's 2.7. Yet, that's not a fair measure. Harden has often edged Durant in statistical output. As a primary playmaker, he gets the assists that Durant doesn't, and his team has often schemed for Harden to collect rebounds.

Here's the point: It isn't clear. That raises the question:

If the Rockets got Durant for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and the 10th overall pick, why on earth would they give up three unprotected firsts for Harden?

Here's another angle: The Rockets traded Harden to the Nets for three unprotected firsts and four swaps so many years ago. Those swaps have been significant, but it still feels funny to acquire him for the same number of unprotected firsts six seasons later when Harden is 36.

In fact, it's absurd. In a climate where teams are allegedly hesitant to give up four first-rounders for Giannis Antetokounmpo, why would the Rockets give up three for a post-prime Harden?

Luckily, it's quite obvious that they wouldn't.

Rockets will make smart decisions with their roster

I am struggling to write this without being, frankly, mean.

The NBA trade market is always in flux. It can be hard to get a handle on it. That's as charitable as one could be here.

There's no "fair enough, but" here. This is an unequivocally bad trade proposal. It's that simple.

Perhaps the Rockets could reunite with Harden someday, but if that happens, it has to happen the right way. The Rockets could wait until Harden hits free agency and sign him at an affordable rate.

Perhaps they'd trade for him someday, but the price has to be right. They could justify flipping, say, this same package with one first-rounder. As this deal is constructed, the Rockets are blowing a huge portion of their future draft capital for a 36-year-old.

That's a failing trade proposal.

Grade: F