The Oklahoma City Thunder were on the cusp of something special in the early 2010s. A young trio of James Harden , Kevin Durant , and Russell Westbrook ushered in the next generation of superstars in the NBA. But that dream unraveled faster than anyone could have imagined.
Mere months after their 2012 NBA Finals appearance, Harden was traded to the Houston Rockets splitting the trio. The decision stemmed from the Thunder’s unwillingness to offer James Harden a max contract. Oklahoma City reportedly balked at paying an additional $4 million in luxury tax penalties.
It was a choice that ultimately derailed their championship aspirations. Speaking on the Earn Your Leisure podcast, Harden reflected on the missed opportunity. It was only for $4 million, too.
They broke it up for $4 million. My rookie year, we was the 8 seed, we played the Lakers. They was the number 1 seed.
We scared them, for sure...
They won the championship...
On the podcast, James Harden spoke about how the trio of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and himself had already started inserting fear into oppositions right from his rookie season. He went on to explain their aspirations after dominating the Western Conference early. My second year, we was in the Western Conference Finals against Dallas.
They won the championship. My third year, we end up in the Finals against the Heat. That was Bron’s first championship.
They won the championship. That summer, we go to the Olympics. We won the gold medal.
My fourth.