This deal is why Sam Presti is the best GM in the business.
Listen, everyone knows or knew that to stay in OKC, you need to take a salary cut. Kevin Durant did when he took out the opt out clause in his contract. Ibaka and Westbrook straight up too less money to stay in OKC. Nick Collison did, too. They all did it knowing that is what needed to happen to stay together. James Harden also knew this and had spread the word over the summer through several interviews that he will.
Mind you, this is the same James Harden who wrote to Sam Presti convincing him to draft him @ #3 overall, because he was convinced OKC would be the best place for him and ultimately, it was the reason why they chose Harden over Steph Curry and Tyreke Evans...because Harden wanted to go there, and he has said nothing but things that state he wanted to stay in OKC...so, very strange now that Harden refused the near max deal he was being offered...which, IMO, was very forthcoming for OKC to do, as, they jumped their offer nearly 5M in the last week.
For Presti...smart man...he had until Wednesday to ink Harden and at 12:01am EST on Nov 1, Harden's trade value decreases dramatically and then they can't sign him. So, after Harden rejects the last deal, he takes a very strong offer from Houston.
Kevin Martin is a veteran that can come right in and replace Harden's scoring off the bench. No, he can't give you the efficiency and overall presence off the bench that Harden did (Harden was a mad man on the floor when Durant and Westbrook took a seat)...but he can replace the scoring. They also get a young player in Lamb and they get 3 draft picks...
...of which, has any detail come through about what picks they acquired?
the Rockets have a real nice Raptors pick that is Top 3 protected in 2013, Top 2 protected in 2014, and Top 1 protected in 2015...could be a nice pick the Thunders pick up.