The 5-Year Road to Harden: a.k.a. Alston, Kaun, Dalembert, Ariza Appreciation Thread

So, I decided to look at how exactly the Harden package came together during Morey's tenure. The story started 5 years ago, actually, and has 5 separate parts.

Bottom Line: The cost of the Harden package is basically Rafer Alston, the 56th pick of the 2008 draft, paying Jared Jeffries for a year, Sam Dalembert, Trevor Ariza and the 14th pick of the 2012 draft.

Kind of shows the value of an accumulation of "small/medium smart moves." Took a while for it to pay off, but then again, the "tank and draft" route also involves risks and can take a long time for you to finally land the right pick and get the right player.


Here's the Story


Part 1- KMart

July 28, 2007: Rockets traded a 2008 2nd Rd pick (ended up being 56th overall and used to select Sasha Kaun) and cash for the 31st Pick of the 2007 Draft, Carl Landry.

February 18, 2010: Rockets completed a 3-team trade, a part of which involves sending Carl Landry to Sacramento for Kevin Martin

October 27, 2012: Rockets traded Kevin Martin to OKC as a part of the Harden trade.

Part 2- Lamb

December 24, 2011: Rockets sign Samuel Dalembert as a Free Agent

June 27, 2012: Rockets trade Samuel Dalembert plus the 14th pick of the 2012 draft for the 12th pick of the 2012 draft

June 28, 2012: Rockets draft Jeremy Lamb 12th overall.

October 27, 2012: Rockets trade Jeremy Lamb as a part of the Harden trade.


Part 3- The Toronto Pick

February 21, 2008: Rockets made a 3-team trade involving sending Rafer Alston to Orlando and receiving Kyle Lowry from Memphis

July 11, 2012: Rockes traded Kyle Lowry to Toronto for a 1st round pick with "two way protection."

October 27, 2012: Rockets traded the Toronto 1st round pick as a part of the Harden Trade


Part 4- The Dallas Pick

February 18, 2010: Rockets completed a 3 team trade, a part of which involving taking on Jared Jeffries' salary in order to receive Jordan Hill and a 2012 Knicks Pick (turned out to be 16th overall, Royce White).

March 15, 2012: Rockets traded Jordan Hill to Lakers for the Dallas 1st round pick and Derek Fisher

October 27, 2012: Rockets traded Dallas 1st Rd pick as a part of the Harden trade.


Part 5- Charlotte 2nd Rounder

July 8, 2009: Rockets signed Trevor Ariza as Free Agent

August 4, 2012: As a part of a 4 team trade, Rockets traded Ariza to New Orleans and received Courtney Lee in return

July 20, 2012: Rockets traded Courtney Lee to Boston for the Charlotte Bobcats' 2nd Rd pick in the 2013 draft.

October 27, 2012: Rockets trade the Charlotte pick as a part of the Harden package.

 

Pacific Time Zone. It's only 10 p.m.

 

Restricted free agency. Teams don't have very good luck getting top level restricted FAs.