I would assume that's why they made the deal, but they could have gotten more for Levert than an expiring and a first.
I think they got the 4 pick swaps in exchange of Levert, but I'm just spitballing here. Levert + 4 first rounders vs Four 1st rounders and 4 pick swaps
He's not a bum no, but he's an expiring contract with no guarantee that he will be on the team after the season or they meet his expected asking price.
Houston is going to have to take the short term L for this trade as I don't see it Oladipo isn't going to suddenly make them a better team than with Harden and they still owe an unprotected to OKC this year and swaps going forward.