There’s a growing belief around the league that the Rockets will keep James Harden through the remainder of the season and that Harden will be content with such an arrangement, Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer reports.
While this may come as a surprise to some, I’m not shocked. Personally, if I was the GM, team president, or franchise owner, I’d do everything in my power to turn around Harden’s firm trade request and figure out a way to make it work with the superstar. Harden is arguably a top-5 player in the league and that kind of talent doesn’t just come around often. He’s the kind of player you tank for; the type of talent that gives you a real championship window. Isn’t that what teams ultimately play for?
The Rockets aren’t a real contender this season with John Wall as his running mate—yes, Wall has looked great coming back to the court but he’s going to need some time to truly be relied on consistently.
Harden still wants a trade but if the Rockets can get to the offseason, which represents a chance to sell him on another campaign provided they add reinforcements this summer, then there’s a chance this whole situation is salvageable.
More NBA Trade Rumors
- The Pelicans could be ripe for a blockbuster trade, six of the 14 executives O’Connor spoke to said when asked about which team could be a sleeper to pull off a deal. Draft picks aren’t as an issue for New Orleans, as the team is stocked from the Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday trades. O’Conner names Bradley Beal as a fit if the shooting guard requests a trade.
- The Sixers have interest in Beal, per O’Connor, and if the franchise is willing to include Ben Simmons in a deal, they’d have a real shot at any star on the market. As of this writing, all signs point toward Philadelphia holding on to the former LSU star.
- John Hollinger of The Athletic makes the case that Beal has more trade value around the league than Harden does. Harden, while a seemingly perennial MVP, is nearly four years older than Beal, and Beal arguably fits into most systems better than Harden.
- Is making a trade the answer for the Wizards? We outlined five trades that Washington should consider, including one for John Collins.
