Rockets' Daryl Morey Says James Harden Trade Took 5 Months to Complete in 2012

The Houston Rockets' trade for Russell Westbrook seemed to come together rapidly—just not apparently fast enough for James Harden, who was asking for regular updates on negotiations.

At that time, Rockets general manager Daryl Morey informed Harden of how long major acquisitions can take.

"At one point, James asked me, 'Why is it taking so long?'" Morey told Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle. "I told him, 'Dude, your trade took me five months.'"

The Rockets traded Chris Paul, top-four protected first-round picks in 2024 and 2026 and pick-swap rights in 2021 and 2025 to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Westbrook. The Thunder and Rockets previously negotiated a trade for Harden in 2012, a move that is considered a landmark deal for both franchises.

Morey's timeline here is a little difficult to figure out. It's unclear if he meant that the two sides spent five months negotiating (unlikely) or that the whole process took five months, including acquiring the assets for Harden (likely). The Rockets drafted Jeremy Lamb, who was part of the Harden trade, almost exactly four months before the deal.

Harden and the Thunder also spent months in protracted contract extension negotiations, so it's possible Morey and Oklahoma City general manager Sam Presti were in talks during that period. 

Morey said that Harden was heavily involved when the Rockets were discussing reuniting him and Westbrook. The pair played together for the first three seasons of Harden's career before both turned into the most ball-dominant players in the league. 

"James and I talk a lot," Morey said. "We talked more. He should be calling every day. We're all in the same canoe rowing toward the same trophy. He is, I would say, the appropriate level of involved."

The deal is considered something of a risk for Houston, which saw its title window dwindling with the Paul-Harden duo. Westbrook is younger and a better basketball player than Paul but a more awkward fit next to Harden because of his struggles as a jump shooter. That said, it's clear Harden was invested in the trade to the point it needed to get done.