Previous Heat targets Harden, Oladipo dealt in blockbuster trade

The Brooklyn Nets have vaunted themselves into the favorites of the East.

The Brooklyn Nets have won the James Harden sweepstakes, as they completed a trade to create a triumvirate of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and Harden. Miami was rumored to be engaged in talks for Harden, but exited the discussions before the season started.

Another rumored Heat target, Victor Oladipo, will join the Houston Rockets in the four-team trade. Oladipo will become a free agent after the season.

The news of the trade inspired some panicked reactions from Heat fans on Twitter. In the last few months, the Milwaukee Bucks traded for Jrue Holiday and the now the Nets added Harden. Although the Heat signed Avery Bradley, Moe Harkless has done nothing to inspire any confidence that he can recreate some of what Jae Crowder brought to the team.

Now the question becomes how Pat Riley will respond to this move that shifted the balance of power in the East. With this trade, the Nets have vaulted themselves into the favorites of the Eastern Conference. Will Riley respond?