At this point, we’ve all heard the rumors about Brooklyn Nets star James Harden possibly being on the move ahead of the Feb. 10 NBA trade deadline. The three-time scoring champion is having a fine season, but by Harden’s standards, his efficiency is nowhere near what we’ve come to expect.
Averaging a career-low 3PT% with the worst FG% and eFG% since his rookie season, the speculation about Harden not being thrilled with his current situation could have some merit. While he shares the ball with Kevin Durant, and Kyrie Irving in away games, Harden’s 22.5 points per game are a far cry from when he was scoring 30-plus per game in Houston.
Most importantly, Harden came to Brooklyn with one goal in mind – winning his first NBA title. The Nets are in sixth place in the Eastern Conference and have shown little inclination that they’re the best team in the Association.
Meanwhile, Harden has a player option at the end of the 2021-22 NBA season, which gives him an out, if he wishes. The Nets, after trading away their future for Harden, can’t really afford to have him walk in free agency.
Then, there’s the allure of trading for Ben Simmons or another disgruntled star who wants a fresh start. Using Harden as a major trade chip, the Nets could acquire nearly anyone who’s actually available, and possibly get a few teams to reconsider parting with pieces they previously planned to keep.
Related: Browse the latest NBA trade rumors
Woj believes James Harden wants to stick with Brooklyn
While there has been plenty of smoke surrounding the idea of James Harden being traded out of Brooklyn, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski doesn’t believe such a deal will occur before the deadline.
During an appearance on NBA Countdown on Saturday, Woj suggested Harden wants to make things work with Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and the Nets.
“Here’s where Durant is on James Harden. I’m told that he believed they could win multiple titles with him, Kyrie Irving and James Harden. That’s why Kevin Durant pushed so hard to get Brooklyn to make that deal with Houston last year and he still believes that.
“But he also believes this very strongly. But that Harden and everyone else in Brooklyn is going to have to be as committed to this as he’s been. when you see the level that Kevin Durant has played at from last year to the Olympics to what was perhaps an MVP season this year. James Harden has told Durant and Nets management that he wants to be there and they’re taking his word for that.
Adrian Wojnarowski on James Harden (H/T to Netsdaily for the quote
Any James Harden trade would be an absolute blockbuster ahead of the deadline. Maybe if the Nets continue experiencing frustrating struggles something could change this offseason, but for now, they seem to want to keep working toward their original goal of bringing a championship to Brooklyn.
