The Houston Rockets will have a tough NBA offseason to navigate following Russell Westbrook requesting a trade. Despite an All-Star wanting out, they still need to build a contender around James Harden— or could an outside team like the Brooklyn Nets push to acquire him via trade to pair with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving?
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Ramona Shelburne, and Zach Lowe, the idea of reuniting with Kevin Durant and playing with Kyrie Irving is ‘resonating’ with Harden.
The idea of the Nets acquiring an MVP caliber talent like Harden is fascinating to think about. With Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving set to join the lineup, adding Harden into the mix would form a dynamic trio that could overpower just about any team.
The compensation needed for the Nets to complete a trade for James Harden would be robust. Giving up players like Caris LeVert, Spencer Dinwiddie, Jarrett Allen would have to be a minimum— along with other potential assets.
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It does make sense for the Rockets to run it back with Harden since he’s still very well an MVP caliber talent. However, there is an argument to be made about how it could be advantageous to trade him while he’s at the top of his game as he’s already 32-years-old.
Not one star can carry a team to a championship by himself, which makes it tough to see a pathway for the Rockets to build a contender around Harden. Houston has tried pairing him with a variety of different stars all for them to not cohesively fit with Harden and ultimately depart or get traded.
It will be fascinating to see how the Houston Rockets end up navigating the future with James Harden on the roster. The Brooklyn Nets will be looming in an attempt to form the next super team and take over not only the Eastern Conference, but the NBA.
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