Two of Oklahoma City's biggest turns ran through Houston, and both were about assets as much as stars. The 4-1 Thunder now visit the 5-0 Rockets with six players on the injury report, which puts the draft-built depth that history favors to the test.
The Trade That Built a Habit
In October 2012, with no extension agreed for James Harden, Oklahoma City sent him, Cole Aldrich, Daequan Cook and Lazar Hayward to Houston. In return it got Kevin Martin, Jeremy Lamb and first-round picks from Toronto and Dallas. The deal turned a contract question into draft capital, and the front office still works in that currency. The cupboard is thinner now. The Thunder own their firsts in 2029 and 2030 and hold swaps in 2027 and 2028, and the $214.8M payroll sits above the first apron. Mark Nilon of Thunderous Intentions wrote that years of draft hoarding may be what carries the Thunder through this injury run. The roster agrees: Ajay Mitchell, Jared McCain and Isaiah Hartenstein are carrying the load.
Houston's Other Chapters
Seattle drafted Kevin Durant in its final season there and took Russell Westbrook fourth overall with its last pick. Houston later ended the Westbrook era with a 2017 first-round win. Durant now plays for the Rockets, and ESPN published his reflections on his eight seasons with the Thunder this week. Ime Udoka's team is 5-0, but Reed Sheppard, Steven Adams and Marcus Smart are out and Alperen Sengun has a back issue. Houston plays on zero rest. Oklahoma City has had two days off.
What the Calendar Says
On October 30 the franchise is 4-2 all-time. It beat the Lakers in 1974 and 2016, the Clippers in 2018 and Washington 127-108 last year. The first Oklahoma City season is the better guide this week. A 10-game skid cost P.J. Carlesimo his job, and the team finished 23-59 before the draft turned it into a champion. The current group is far ahead of that pace, though the scoring margin over the last 10 has shrunk to +2.0 per game. McCain has added 11 minutes a night over the last three games. Chet Holmgren was upgraded from out on October 29 and is projected back for Saturday. Alex Caruso, Thomas Sorber and Nikola Topic are targeted for November 4. Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace are projected for March 2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the young guards have to hold the line until then.
What did the Thunder get for James Harden?
In October 2012 they got Kevin Martin, Jeremy Lamb and first-round picks from Toronto and Dallas. Cole Aldrich, Daequan Cook and Lazar Hayward went to Houston with Harden.
Will Chet Holmgren play against the Rockets?
Holmgren was upgraded from out on October 29 and is projected to return October 31 from a right knee issue. That is the day of the Houston game.
