Aggregation restriction lifted for players in James Harden trade

The trade aggregation restriction has expired for the seven players who were involved in this season’s most significant deal, per Bobby Marks of ESPN. That means everyone who was part of the four-team swap that sent James Harden to the Nets in January can now be combined with other salaries in another trade.

While that may not matter much to the other three teams involved, it’s significant for the Rockets, particularly involving Victor Oladipo, who has an expiring $21M contract. Oladipo has remained a productive scorer in Houston, averaging 19.9 points in 15 games, but he’s shooting just 38.7% from the field and 31.3% from three-point range.

The rebuilding Rockets will have to decide whether they want to make a long-term investment in Oladipo, who will turn 29 before the season ends and is still sitting out back-to-back games due to health concerns. He declined a two-year, $45M extension offer from Houston shortly after the trade, the largest the Rockets could offer at the time, but the team admits that was just a way to show he was wanted. Oladipo will seek a longer deal once free agency arrives.

If Houston decides not to make that investment, its best option is to trade him before the March 25 deadline. The Knicks would be among the teams with interest, according to a report this week.

Owning the league’s third-worst record after 13 straight losses, the Rockets are expected to be among the league’s most active sellers heading into the deadline. They will also be able to aggregate the $9.6M contract for Dante Exum and the $1.78M deal for Rodions Kurucs, who were both acquired in the Harden deal.

In addition to Harden, the other players in the trade who can now be aggregated are Pacers guard Caris LeVert and Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen and forward Taurean Prince.