Subscribe
Follow Us
The Brooklyn Nets are apparently seeking a trade partner in order to move superstar James Harden. Harden has not played well this season, and with him possibly not coming back next season, it makes sense why the Nets are looking to move him.
Let's take a look at the three best deals for James Harden that the Nets may make before the trade deadline this year.
While all of these trades could be tough, some contending teams are going to overpay and due to the players’ salary, they will have to give back a big package. Not all of these trades are likely, but contending teams are going to be doing everything they can to get better, which could cause some wild trades to be done, as we have seen in the past. Teams in a rebuild type of situation will also attempt to move some key players, and at times, for less than what they are worth.
*Watch NBA games LIVE with fuboTV (click for free trial)*
James Harden Trades
Nets get: Ben Simmons, Tyrese Maxey
Sixers get: James Harden
Although there have been rumors that the Sixers may try to get James Harden this season, it seems likely that they will wait until the summer. However, according to recent speculations, the Nets are willing to trade James Harden before the deadline, and the Sixers are the team most interested in him.
While it may not make sense for the Sixers to make this deal because they would be giving up Tyrese Maxey, it may make sense from their perspective because they may feel pressured to win. Philadelphia must recognize that if they go out and make the correct moves, they have a chance to win a title this season. They might find themselves in a difficult situation if they don't make the proper decision, especially because they don't know how long Joel Embiids prime will last. The unpleasant fact of Embiid's predicament is that he is prone to injury, which means that his peak may be shorter than many people hope for and anticipate.
Ben Simmons is one of the best on-ball defenders in the NBA, and while he doesn't score as well as James Harden, he may be a bigger impact player for this Nets team. This is the sort of move that the Nets would make ten times over if they knew Kyrie Irving was going to receive the vaccine and would be with them on the floor in every game they play in the playoffs. They might theoretically be a stronger team than they are currently with James Harden if they had Ben Simmons, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Durant on board.
From both sides, this trade makes a lot of sense. If James Harden and Joel Embiid were on the Philadelphia 76ers, they would be virtually unbeatable with their pick-and-roll. The Nets' defense will be able to straighten out if they can recapture one of the best defensive players in the NBA.
Nets get: Bradley Beal, Montrezl Harrell, Deni Avdija, 2024 first-round pick
Wizards get: James Harden
This may be an intriguing package, but one in which the Nets are unlikely to be interested. They might also take into account the fact that they would be receiving a first-round pick, something they don't have many of. Bringing back Bradley Beal will be a huge plus for this team because, while he hasn't looked as good this season, he is still a high-level scorer who does a lot of the same things as Harden.
Montrezl Harrell, who can play at a high level, would also be acquired by Brooklyn, and he might prove to be a significant asset come playoff time. Montrezl Harrell is a solid defender who can also rebound the ball effectively. Both of these are things that the Nets would be seeking for at the trade deadline this year, so it makes sense that they would make a deal like this.
Nets get: Jordan Clarkson, Mike Conley, Rudy Gay
Jazz get: James Harden
James Harden to the Utah Jazz may be a great fit, yet no one seems to be talking about it. Utah certainly needs a second star next to Donovan Mitchell, and despite the fact that they would lose a lot of depth in the process, it may be something they consider. Jordan Clarkson, Mike Conley, and Rudy Gay all play important roles for the Jazz, but as we've seen with this squad over the last several years, they're not enough to get the job done.
If Brooklyn could acquire these three players, they'd be better right away, and there's a case to be made that if the Jazz got James Harden, they'd be better for the playoffs as well.
It's difficult to envision Utah making this sort of trade simply because they'd be giving up so much, but they could be frantic to get a deal done for a second star because what they've done without one in the last few seasons has plainly failed.
