What the Harden trade means for OKC?

I must admit this trade shocked the hell out of me when I first heard about it. Didn't know what to feel. I hated it, but then again I liked it. I would say love, but that's a strong word. Took me a couple of days to digest it, but now I know...

Simply put, the Thunder won. Harden clearly cares more about himself than winning, so instead of losing him in free agency he got shipped out before he and his beard caused friction in the organization. The Thunder also weren't going to offer Harden the max contract he wanted. Why lose him for nothing when you can get something, even if it's not much.

Forget Harden though. In the long run I think this trade will benefit OKC. The upcoming season? Not so much. Let's go back to my West Coast Power Rankings for a second. I had OKC picked to finish 2nd, only because I didn't want to seem biased. Now? Now, they are the legit THIRD best team in the West. There's still a chance they could end up the top seed, but I doubt it. Along with Jeremy Lamb and Kevin Martin OKC acquired some really good draft picks. You may think, oh that's nothing, but look what the GM has done in the draft in recent years. There is nothing to worry about in Oklahoma.