Former NBA MVP James Harden was interested in joining the Phoenix Suns before the franchise acquired All-Star shooting guard Bradley Beal from the Washington Wizards, according to Sam Amick and Kelly Iko of The Athletic.
Suns superstar small forward Kevin Durant was in favor of reuniting with Harden in Phoenix. The two future Hall of Famers were teammates on the Oklahoma City Thunder and Brooklyn Nets.
However, Harden can’t land with the Suns now that Beal is there.
“Harden had serious interest in a pre-Bradley Beal trade to the Phoenix Suns too, with his old friend Kevin Durant known to be in favor of the possible reunion,” Amick and Iko wrote. “Harden, who went from L.A. to Arizona State en route to the NBA and still owns a house in the Phoenix area, considers the region a third home of sorts and was excited by the notion of heading to the Valley of the Sun. But the Sixers never engaged with the Suns regarding a possible deal, and the Beal trade with Washington emerged.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Phoenix Suns & Los Angeles Clippers Updates
Harden has opted into his 2023-24 player option and is working with the Philadelphia 76ers on a trade. The lefty wants to get traded to the Los Angeles Clippers so he can play with star forwards Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Harden was born and raised in Los Angeles, so joining the Clippers would allow him to be around family.
The Clippers and Sixers have already discussed a Harden trade. Meanwhile, the Suns introduced Beal to the media on June 29. Phoenix has a Big 4 of Beal, Durant, Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton. Frank Vogel replaced Monty Williams as head coach and the Suns are confident they can win it all next season.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Phoenix Suns & Los Angeles Clippers Updates
Harden has requested a trade from the Houston Rockets, Nets and now Sixers. It’s going to be very fascinating to see if the Arizona State product gets his wish and lands with the Clippers.
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