CHANHASSEN, Minn. — Six months ago, Jackie Moon was coaching a 50-win team against Newport Beach in an elimination game. Monday, cameras caught him carrying a single cardboard box to his 1973 Volkswagen at Paisley Park. Moon turned to face the building one final time, spit on the concrete, and cursed under his breath. When he pulled out of the parking lot, it marked the end of an era for the Rainmakers (15-25), who completed a 7-player, 2-pick trade with the St. Louis Hornets (31-9) on Sunday night before handing Moon (114-172 with one playoff appearance in three-plus seasons) his walking papers. "This was supposed to be the year to take the next step," general manager Brendan Halleron told reporters. "Solid roster top to bottom. It failed epically. Prince would smack the purple out of these guys if he knew the kind of s--- they were pulling. The offer with young parts and assets was too good to pass up." In return for All-COMO veterans Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, Paisley Park got a haul from first-place St. Louis: No. 3 overall pick Kris Dunn, former No. 1 overall pick and 2014-2015 COMO Rookie of the Year Andrew Wiggins, former lottery pick Aaron Gordon, Marcus Morris, Trevor Booker and a pair of future second-round selections. While Paisley Park now has an enviable arsenal of young talent — including Andre Drummond, Victor Oladipo, Bradley Beal and Jabari Parker — St. Louis is now the unquestioned COMO title favorite. "Comin' for that ass, Peter," said general manager Aaron Connolly Nutting, who was apparently responding to a blockbuster deal Newport Beach GM Peter Mayer pulled off last week. St. Louis coach Jimmy Chitwood now has a near-impossible task in front of him: Deciding how to keep John Wall, Jimmy Butler, Kevin Love, Nikola Vucevic, Mike Conley, Hassan Whiteside, Leonard and Paul happy while maintaining the league's best record. Extra notes
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NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. — Most of the league's contenders have been sitting around wondering how to catch up to St. Louis, but none had made a move until late Saturday night. That's when Newport Beach general manager Peter Mayer found his solution: a "Big Three" of Russell Westbrook, LeBron James, and ... James Harden. In order to pull it off, Mayer sent former All-COMO power forward and three-time league champion LaMarcus Aldridge to Colorado, along with this year's No. 2 overall pick (Brandon Ingram) and a future protected first-rounder. "We're in 'win-now' mode," Mayer explained. "Brandon was seen as an integral part of Newport's future, but when you have an opportunity to bring in a guy with Harden's talent and pair it with Russ and Bron, you don't turn it down." Harden is well on his way to another All-COMO season, but his hefty contract ($42M) made him difficult to move for the God-awful Hilltoppers (1-31). Colorado signed the combo guard to a free-agent deal in 2014, and he has since become the Hilltoppers' all-time leader in bones (4,373), points (4,008) rebounds (916), assists (1,121) and steals (251). In Newport, he'll join James and Westbrook. All three have spent time on the Shorewood Show roster, but none of them had played together before this trade. Considering that Harden was a near-lock to leave in free agency this offseason, Colorado got a good haul for its departing star. Aldridge may or may not be back next year, but Ingram has All-COMO potential, and there's likely an extra first-round pick coming to Greeley in 2018. "Harden was a talented player we knew we couldn't hold onto this next year," general manager Collin Atkinson said. "We are looking to the future with a hope to rebuild around some healthy, young talent." The 'Toppers have suffered several injuries this year, including a broken foot that will likely keep Ben Simmons, the No. 1 overall pick, out until after the COMO regular season is complete. Colorado must find a way to win 10 more games if it wants to avoid the title of losingest team in league history; the 2014-2015 Minneapolis Player Haterzz finished 10-72. Official trade details
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