Thunder trade Harden to Rockets

The Oklahoma City Thunder traded Sixth Man of the Year James Harden (pictured right) to the Houston Rockets, breaking up the young core of the Western Conference champions. The Thunder acquired guards Kevin Martin and Jeremy Lamb, two first-round picks and a second-round pick in the surprising deal that was completed Saturday night. Oklahoma City also sent center Cole Aldrich, and forwards Daequan Cook and Lazar Hayward to Houston. Harden will become a free agent next summer if Houston doesn’t sign him to an extension by Wednesday. The Thunder had already signed Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka to long-term deals, and apparently realized Harden was going to want a bigger salary than they would offer. – AP