Injury to Caris LeVert may prevent the Brooklyn Nets from finalizing their blockbuster James Harden trade deal.
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Sources have learned that one of the players involved in the 4-team trade has yet to pass their fitness test. This could put the whole deal in jeopardy, as there are too many moving parts to it.
Jarrett Allen and Taurean Prince have passed their fitness tests. Exum passed it last night. James Harden has passed his. Rodions Kurucs has also passed. This means it’s either LeVert or Oladipo who’s failed his fitness test.
LeVert having injury and preventing the Rockets from having Oladipo could be a deal-breaker, as the Nets dont have anything else to give. The Pacers would not be willing to trade for LeVert if he’s injured, because it would hurt their chances at contending. How weird would it be if Harden ends up in Philadelphia after all this?
James Harden is out of action tonight against Orlando Magic
Given this state of affairs, none of the traded players will be available to play for their teams tonight. JB Bickerstaff informed reporters that Prince and Allen are yet to practice with the Cavs. This indicates that there is still room for the trade to fall through.
Oladipo being unfit will not prevent the trade, as it’s only a two-way transaction between Houston and Indiana. But LeVert being unfit will definitely invalidate it. This would be a great pity, as LeVert looked in great nick over his past 5 games. He’d scored 20+ points in each of them, shooting 50% from the field while doing so.
Jarrett Allen and Taurean Prince did not practice, per Bickerstaff. Trade is still held up by a player who hasn’t passed a physical. #Cavs
— Spencer Davies (@SpinDavies) January 16, 2021
The Rockets were also rumored to almost have sent Harden to the 76ers. But the trade fell through at the last moment. In the unlikely event that this Brooklyn trade fails, Houston has the opportunity to trade him for a package around Ben Simmons.
