James Harden

Harden, Durant, and Westbrook were all on the same OKC Thunder roster — three players who would each win MVP awards (Durant in 2014, Harden in 2018, Westbrook in 2017). No other franchise in NBA history has drafted three future MVPs in consecutive drafts.

The Harden-to-Houston trade in 2012 — sending James Harden for Kevin Martin, Jeremy Lamb, three first-round picks, and two second-rounders — was one of the most impactful trades of the 2010s, freeing Harden to become a superstar.

His 'step-back three' — the hesitation move that creates separation for a three-pointer — became the most imitated individual shot in the league during the late 2010s, spawning a generation of players practicing the move.

Harden grew up in Compton and was close friends with Kawhi Leonard as a teenager — two stars from the same community, from the same generation, who would become two of the most accomplished players of their era.