They gave up the only player asset from trading their superstar Harden for a 3 month rental + a 2nd rd pick
At least every other team that traded its star player at least got a young piece back that could be their star of the future in return on top of future picks/swaps. Houston could have gotten that as well, but gave him up to get Oladipo????????? Yeah this is an L for them the more I think about it.
Karis sounds great on Indy, he'll have enough offensive autonomy to do work alongside Sabonis. I don't like this at all
That benefits Indy more than it does Houston and makes it seem like a cost saving move for them. You could have had a young building block with potential for the future at a bargain cost, but gave it up for Oladipo with no guarantee that he stays after the season or that you would even want to meet his financial demands.
Oladipo is a good player who I thought was going to be a part of Indy's future with Turner, Sabonis, etc for the long run but I guess not due to him being injury-prone made that future unclear for the Pacers, and didn't wanna take a chance resigning him. Houston is the biggest loser in this trade by far...gave up James for a couple of above-average players and one (when healthy) good player.