The Oklahoma City Thunder traded James Harden instead of paying the man, and the team has spent nearly every minute regretting that decision.
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As Harden leaps into the MVP conversation, some writers thought it would be a good time to revisit the trade — including ESPN's Bill Simmons:
OKC newspaper piece about the Harden trade leaves out the key point - they didn't have to trade him when they did. http://t.co/yrdgViPR9s
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) April 5, 2015
OKC could have made a 2013 title run and stayed under tax, then dealt with Harden's restricted free agency that summer. That's just a fact.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) April 5, 2015
Harden wanted 60m for extension, OKC wouldn't go higher than 54m. They loved Houston's offer + severely underrated Harden's impact. Fact.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) April 5, 2015
Last thing - I wrote about about OKC's Harden dilemma just a few weeks before they traded him. Interesting re-read. http://t.co/OpI9hzfyDQ
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) April 5, 2015
After watching Simmons rattle off a rant on the trade, Kevin Durant was done hearing it and gave his simple, but subtle response:
@BillSimmons just let it go!
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) April 5, 2015
Unfortunately for the Thunder, if Harden takes home the award, and leads the Rockets late into the playoffs, it will be hard for anyone to ever let it go.
