Why James Harden to the Brooklyn Nets Is Inevitable
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Houston Rockets guard James Harden could be traded within the next few days: even the next few hours.
James Harden did not attend Rockets practice today.
The Rockets are sifting through a potential deal soon. Details on @TheAthletic: https://t.co/tTYIRVG8Xg
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 13, 2021
Harden, 31, has reportedly wanted out of Houston even before the 2021 season began. But even if that wasn’t true at the time, it is clear as day what he thinks of his current team after yesterday’s postgame press conference after the Rockets 117-100 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
James Harden: “We’re just not good enough. We don’t, obviously, chemistry, talent-wise, just everything, and it was clear these last few games…” pic.twitter.com/4bTcaK7TDv
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) January 13, 2021
The situation between the two parties has turned sour really quickly. Sour enough that Harden will likely never step foot inside the Rockets facility ever again.
The Rockets are planning to keep Harden away until a trade is done — with front office weighing best final offers from Brooklyn and Philadelphia, sources tell @ramonashelburne and me. Process is moving quickly now. https://t.co/YDZkAKcG5d
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 13, 2021
As Wojnarowski mentions in the tweet above, the two front runners for the 3-time scoring champion are the Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers. But as of a half-hour ago, Woj has also reported that a deal between Houston and Brooklyn has picked up some steam in recent days: even before Harden’s presser last night.
Now, I am no NBA insider (obviously), but to me it seems inevitable that a deal between the Nets and Houston gets done.
Why? Well, it is obvious that Houston would want a massive return for Harden. He is one of the best scorers in the NBA and has knack of getting to the free-throw line. And with that being said, the 76ers would most likely have to part ways with former number one overall pick Ben Simmons if they really do want to acquire the 12-year vet: something I don’t think they’d be willing to do.
The Rockets are pursuing a trade package from the 76ers that would be headlined by Ben Simmons and Tyrese Maxey, league sources say
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) January 13, 2021
I mean, I don’t know about you, but I don’t think I would be willing to part with a 24-year-old -who has already made the all-star team twice, for a 31-year-old Harden that doesn’t play defense and came into the year out of shape.
Eddie Lacy is trending because James Harden got so out of shape demanding trades and going out to stop clubs instead of training 😅 pic.twitter.com/f1V2CERNkP
— Willie Stroker 🧀13-3 🦌7-4 (@WillieStrokerWI) December 16, 2020
So with Philly out of the picture, that leaves us with Brooklyn. A team that already has Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and a multitude of depth pieces such as Spencer Dinwiddie, Joe Harris, and Caris LeVert. They are ready to win now, and adding Harden would make them an even better team that could definitely compete with the upper echelon of the league. Heck, they are already a part of that group without Harden on the team.
The only thing with a trade to Brooklyn is that the Nets would probably have to part with a buttload of picks. Something they have tried and been unsuccessful with before *cough, cough, the Boston Celtics trade*
But in the end, if Brooklyn thinks they can get over the hump with Harden and win a championship why not? They are clearly interested and seem willing to fork over what ever they need to re-unite him with his old teammate Kevin Durant. So go ahead Brooklyn: shoot your shot and go chase that Larry O’Brien Trophy.
– Jarrod Ribaudo (@jarrod_ribaudo on Twitter)
Featured image courtesy of Twitter / @BleacherReport