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The Milwaukee Bucks had been by no means severe contenders for a James Harden commerce, however they could have screwed issues up for each staff that’s within the working.
James Harden‘s subsequent vacation spot is without doubt one of the dominant storylines of the younger NBA season, however one of many largest components in the place he could find yourself may hinge on the actions of a staff that was by no means an actual contender to commerce for him: The Milwaukee Bucks.
The Bucks have already got their very own heliocentric offensive drive in Giannis Antetokounmpo, and the 2 superstars are identified to not get alongside. It’s a bit absurd since each Harden and Giannis are usually thought-about to be pretty easygoing, however alas, it’s simply one in all many causes a commerce was by no means going to occur within the first place.
As for different groups which can be looking for to commerce for Harden, the Bucks difficult issues for them, and did so nearly definitely by full accident.
Of their offseason actions to make sure that Antetokounmpo would signal his super-max extension and keep in Milwaukee, they traded for Jrue Holiday. The value for this deal was astronomical, particularly for a participant of Vacation’s caliber.
He was among the best level guards on the commerce market going into the offseason, behind solely Chris Paul, however he’s not a top-tier star by any means. Final season he averaged 19.1 factors, 6.7 assists and 4.8 rebounds per recreation with capturing splits of .455/.353/.709. These are strong numbers, however not famous person stats.
The Milwaukee Bucks needed to get Jrue Vacation regardless of the associated fee
Nonetheless, the Bucks wanted to get Vacation it doesn’t matter what, and the value didn’t matter. In order that they despatched a big haul to the New Orleans Pelicans, together with Eric Bledsoe, George Hill, 2024 and 2026 swap rights and their 2025 and 2027 unprotected first-round picks.
This large haul difficult issues considerably for any staff that desires to commerce for James Harden. Vacation is a pleasant participant, however Harden is probably the best offensive drive within the NBA at this time and a legit famous person, so the price of doing enterprise has gone means up.
In any case, if the Pelicans can get Bledsoe and Hill (two strong starters on the absolute worst) and complete management nearly half a decade’s value of first-round picks for Vacation, how rather more will the Houston Rockets demand for James Harden?
The main candidates for Harden’s providers are Jap Convention rivals just like the Philadelphia 76ers and Toronto Raptors, and because of this king’s ransom paid by the Bucks for an inferior participant, the Rockets can credibly demand a crippling variety of gamers and belongings for him.
Milwaukee had a sloppy, uninspiring offseason in each facet aside from persuading Antetokounmpo to increase. They overpaid at each alternative, even botching the re-signing of Pat Connaughton to the purpose the place they needed to re-do his deal and provides him each extra years and more cash. D.J. Augustin signed a three-year, $21 million deal to play backup level guard for the Bucks whereas an equal (maybe superior) participant in Jeff Teague signed for the minimal to play for the Boston Celtics.
The Milwaukee Bucks blundered at every alternative, however their gigantic overpay for Jrue Vacation could have utterly scuttled the commerce marketplace for James Harden, they usually can benefit from the truth that they by accident made life more durable for his or her Jap rivals.
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