Remembering when the Rockets fleeced the Thunder in historic fashion

When the Houston Rockets acquired James Harden, it was arguably the most consequential trade in franchise history. A new list from Bleacher Report says it was the 7th most lopsided trade in recent sports history.

You read right. Not basketball - sports. The trade is the 5th-highest NBA deal on the list. The Rockets executed one of the best deals in recent NBA history when they acquired their long-time franchise player.

So, Rockets fans surely won't mind taking a look back on the trade.

Rockets fleeced Thunder in historic deal

Let's look at the deal in its entirety, and then break down the implications.

The Rockets acquired Harden along with Cole Aldrich, Daequan Cook, and Lazar Hayward. They sent the Thunder Kevin Martin, Jeremy Lamb, two first-round picks, and a second-round pick.

Now, it's time to cut the fat. The Thunder would select Steven Adams, Alex Abrines, and Mitch McGary with those picks. If we filter the trade pieces down to rotation-caliber players exchanged, the Thunder traded James Harden for Kevin Martin, Steven Adams, and Jeremy Lamb.

It's not hard to see why Bleacher Report would call that one of the most lopsided deals ever.

Martin was a good player. He was coming off a season during which he averaged 17.1 points per game with a 55.4 True Shooting % (TS%) with the Rockets. It was actually something of a down year - in 2010-11, Martin averaged 23.5 points per game with a 60.1 TS%.

Unfortunately, he'd never find that role with the Thunder. Martin averaged 14.0 points per game in his first season with the team. That was the same year that Harden exploded for 25.9 points and 5.8 assists per game with the Rockets. Fans were shocked by his superstar turn:

But those numbers would look modest by the standard Harden would eventually set.

We'll get there. Let's get back to the Thunder. Lamb was a solid defensive wing, but little more. Rockets fans are well-acquainted with Adams' impact. He was arguably the best piece the Thunder got for Harden:

And that's the problem.

Rockets fans don't need a history lesson on Harden. He won MVP with the Rockets, and was a perennial candidate. Adams is a great rotation big, but the Thunder got utterly fleeced in this deal:

How did it happen?

Rockets capitalized on a unique opportunity

The Thunder were cutting costs. They already had Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook on the roster. Harden hadn't broken out yet. Everyone knew he was good, but nobody thought he was an MVP candidate.

Mistakes happen. The Rockets would return the favor in a Chris Paul-for-Russell Westbrook deal that could easily have made this list. The Thunder didn't know what they had in Harden, and the Rockets were happy to find out:

It was perhaps the best decision they ever made.