James Harden expanded the list of the teams he’d rather play for than the Rockets, as we recently passed along. The former MVP now has the Blazers and Celtics on his preferred list in addition to the previously reported Nets, Heat, Bucks, and Sixers.
Boston would be a strange fit. Jaylen Brown would likely be sent to Houston along with future picks in a Harden-to-Boston package, though that is simply my speculation.
For Portland, it’s hard to imagine a deal that doesn’t involve CJ McCollum heading to the Rockets, though other players would have to be involved given the approximate $12 million difference in the two guards’ salaries.
More NBA Rumors
- While the buzz around Victor Oladipo wanting to move on from Indiana has died down, one NBA executive believes that the Pacers will ultimately trade the former All-Star (via Bob Kravitz of The Athletic). Oladipo could certainly further grow his connection with new coach Nate Bjorkgren and stay with the franchise, however, it appears that all the noise over the last year about the shooting guard’s preference was not fake news.
- Frank Ntilikina‘s future with the Knicks remains uncertain, as it essentially has for most of his career in New York, Steve Popper of Newsday writes. New York didn’t discuss a contract extension with the guard ahead of Monday’s deadline.
- Buddy Hield and Harrison Barnes were both crucial to the Kings opening night win over the Nuggets, but John Hollinger of the Athletic wonders if Sacramento moves either of their pricey wings. Hield is in the first year of his four-year, $94 million extension and Barnes has three years and $61 million left on his contract. GM Monte McNair, who’s in his first year with the franchise, could opt to move one of the two in order to find a new running-mate for De’Aaron Fox.
