On To The Next One (Freeze!)
The honeymoon period between James Harden and the Brooklyn Nets seems to be coming to an end. A Bleacher Report article cited frustrations around fellow superstar teammate Kyrie Irving not being able to play Nets home games and not enjoying living in Brooklyn as much as Houston. Irving is unvaccinated and can’t play in the state of New York, and I am sure the high tax rate, cold climate, and Covid restrictions in New York compared to Texas have not been kind to the former MVP.
The report does not specifically state that Harden is dead set on leaving Brooklyn. Rather, Harden wishes to keep his options open and for the first time in his career experience free agency (always feels nice to be courted, right?). A return to the Nets is on the table, but plenty of other teams could use Harden’s experience and playmaking abilities to make deep playoff pushes. Harden’s growth as a point guard through which the offense naturally moves through, rather than strict iso ball with Harden doing all the work, makes me personally believe Harden can be a part of a championship-winning squad.
But if the marriage between James Harden and the Nets is over, where should Harden look next? Who has the cap to sign Harden and the assets to make a push for a title? What city has the better strip clubs?
For the teams listed, I have taken into consideration the reasonings for Harden’s departure as listed by the Bleacher Report article. So no, I did not choose, nor do I believe, Harden will be going to the Knicks.
1. Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia has been thrown out a lot this season as a potential landing spot for Harden. Joel Embiid is one of the top two big men in the league and is the primary reason Philadelphia is competitive. Ben Simmons is still MIA and despite the trade deadline being right around the corner, no solid trade news has surfaced. Harden is the left-handed ball-distributing shot-creating superstar everyone wanted Simmons to be. Why not make a push?
The 76ers may not even have to push that hard. Reports are that Philadelphia is a primary target for Harden. Brooklyn could try and convince Philadelphia to do a sign-and-trade for Harden and Simmons with other assets thrown in. At least that way you don’t lose Harden for nothing. But if Harden is bent on going to Philadelphia, the 76ers might hold most, if not all, of the leverage.
2. Dallas Mavericks
Luka Doncic and James Harden are almost identical players. Putting the two of them on the same team would be dangerous for the NBA. While the Mavs have been good since Luka’s arrival, they continue to ride the middle of the Western Conference and are rewarded with a first-round exit in the playoffs. Harden gets back to the weather, low taxes, and strip clubs of Texas while making a title run with a potential future MVP.
The Mavs would probably have to pull off a sign-and-trade. Kristaps Porzingas has shown flashes but has struggled to be healthy and consistent. Tim Hardaway Jr. got a brand new contract this offseason that the Mavs could move off of to make room. Add picks and make the move Dallas.
3. Cleveland Cavilers
Ok hear me out. The Cavs and the Memphis Grizzlies are the two most surprising teams right now in the league. I would love for someone to show me a writer or analyst who had the Cavs 1.5 games out of first place over halfway through the season. Imagine a lineup of Garland, Harden, Markkanen, Mobley, and Allen. Big scary if they could pull that off.
Cavs would have to shed salary. Kevin Love would be on the last year of his deal and the team has not committed to bringing back Colin Sexton. Isaac Okoro also might be a casualty for Cleveland in the trade and a multitude of picks. Regardless, I fully believe Cleveland can be underdogs in this race.
4. Chicago Bulls
The Bulls are another team that has surprised many this NBA season. Many had the Bulls going to the playoffs, but they are even exceeding those expectations. If the Bulls wanted to go all in, this move is equivalent to putting every last dime you have in the pot. Getting Harden would not be easy for the Bulls. Lots of sacrifices to what they have built would need to be made in order to pull off a trade of this magnitude.
Chicago put a lot of money into bringing in Lonzo Ball, DeMar DeRozan, and Alex Caruso this past offseason. I know Bulls fans love those guys, but would you trade them if it meant getting James Harden and a championship? Because the alternative is to move away from Zach LaVine. DeMar has been awesome this year, but he is up there in age. Can he continue his success for the length of his contract? It is a tough call to make, but one that the Bulls front office should at least consider.
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