OKC Loses Friend and Teammate

The Thunder lost a key teammate last weekend.

By Kristina Callahan

Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook will be without their best friend and teammate when they kick off the 2012-2013 NBA season on Thursday night. James Harden was traded in a shocking deal to the Houston Rockets. A contract extension couldn’t be reached, so Oklahoma City opted to trade the Sixth Man of the Year.

AP Photo/ Alex Brandon

Miami Heat guard, Dwayne Wade was surprised but thinks both teams got a fair deal.

“It was shocking but they made the move they felt was right for them. It shakes up the West a little bit. I think both teams got fair value. I'm not a GM or anything but both teams came out pretty good,” said Wade.

Even Heat teammate and MVP Lebron James thinks it will affect the Thunder and the entire league.

"I think we all know that James Harden was a big part of their team," James said. "He was a big part of why they made it to the Finals. They got a couple pieces back that are really good as well. But we don't know how it changes their team until they actually get out there."

In exchange for Harden, the Thunder acquired guards Kevin Martin and Jeremy Lamb, two first-round picks and a second-round pick in the deal. The small-market Thunder has already signed Kevin Durant, Serge Ibaka and Russell Westbrook to long-term deals. Harden wanted a long-term deal and big salary like his other teammates, but that’s something OKC couldn’t offer.