Not sure where the more recent conversations about this trade are, but Simmons and Winhorst did a great job talking about this on the BS Report recently: http://www.grantland.com/podcasts
While once again hammering the trade, here's some points that were brought up:
- Lamb really disappointed the Thunder once he started practicing with them.
- Other GM's didn't get the move for the Thunder
- This was Presti's decision, not the owner telling him he had to deal Harden to save money.
- Couldn't they have gotten a better deal for Harden right now? Harden to CLE for the #1, 19, and 31 picks plus Waiters.
- Obviously they would have had a better chance at winning it all this year without the deal and they would have kept their options open for beyond. It's not like the Rockets offer was so good that they had to do it then.