Minnesota Timberwolves M(urr)AY have dodged a Rocket

The Minnesota Timberwolves did not match the offer made by the Atlanta Hawks for San Antonio Spurs Dejounte Murray, and lost the bidding war for a player who many perceive to be a future NBA superstar. But right now, the Brooklyn Nets wish that they had lost the bidding war for NBA superstar James Harden.  Why?

Pull up a chair, because this will take awhile:

The Brooklyn Nets wanted to create a set it and forget it NBA Championship Team. They landed Kevin Durant, landed Kyrie Irving, and then wanted to pick up one more piece: Houston Rockets combination guard James Harden.

Deja Vu all over again

So the Brooklyn Nets wrapped up a huge bundle of draft picks, uch like the package that sent Kevin Garnett from the Boston Celtics to the Nets years before. In the deal, the Houston Rockets acquired:

"“Three first-round picks (2022, 2024 and 2026) and four first-round pick swaps (2021, 2023, 2025, 2027) from Nets” – as per NBA website News service"

But as is often the case, it’s be careful what you wish for, you may soon get it. The trade seemed benign enough. If the Nets had calculated correctly, they would dominate the NBA for years to come.  And in doing so, the Brooklyn Nets would have no more value than a top-tier second round draft pick.

Their team banked on the belief that if you place competitive superstars on an NBA team’s roster, their very competitive nature would compel them to figure it all out and be able to work together. The Nets seemed to have it all figured out when, after 32 games into the season, they were at 23-9 and appeared to be humming like a race car engine.