Kevin Durant and James Harden parted ways on Thursday, when the Nets and Sixers executed a trade headlined by sending Harden to Philadelphia and Ben Simmons to Brooklyn. The trade came amid reports that Harden wanted out of Brooklyn, just a season after forcing his way out of Houston.
Durant, along with LeBron James, was named as a NBA All-Star captain, and participated in a televised draft on TNT Thursday evening. This led to a hilarious situation.
With three players left on the board — Fred VanVleet, Rudy Gobert and Harden — it was James’ pick. Thanks to some goading by the TNT studio hosts, James chose VanVleet, leading Durant to have to choose between Harden and Gobert.
While trying to keep a straight face, as LeBron cracked up, Durant picked Gobert, citing that he needed size. This left LeBron to take Harden with the final pick. After making the selection, James asked if Harden, who has been out with a back issue, was hurt.
“He just got traded, he’s healthy now!” Charles Barkley responded, leading everyone in the studio and on the video board to lose it.
It was quite the dismount on an incredible day of NBA content.
