3 reasons why Houston must trade James Harden

It’s been greater than a month because it was first reported that Houston Rockets star James Harden turned down a two-year, $103 million extension from the team in favor of understanding a commerce to the Brooklyn Nets. Since then, the scenario has gotten extra out of hand, with Harden reporting for coaching camp a couple of days late after partying in Las Vegas, getting into an argument with a teammate at practice, and going to a strip club without a mask, which prompted an investigation and a $50,000 fine by the NBA for violating the league’s COVID-19 protocols.

It appears as if new stories are popping out in regards to the 2018 MVP and the Rockets day by day, with the most recent being a narrative from The Athletic that the Boston Celtics and Portland Trail Blazers have joined the record of his most popular locations. There have been quite a few disgruntled stars who’ve pressured their groups to make trades in recent times, particularly throughout a time when gamers have been extra empowered and have had extra say about the place they may take their skills.

Harden’s case, nevertheless, takes player empowerment a step further and is extra sophisticated, particularly with the NBA making an attempt to finish a 72-game season within the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and outdoors the confines of the Bubble. The Rockets have mentioned a doable commerce with a number of groups, however up to now, their commerce calls for for the 31-year outdated haven’t but been met, and there may be concern whether or not a staff could actually meet their asking price.

However what the previous few weeks have made clear is that Houston ought to transfer on from the eight-time All Star, a transfer which can profit each events. Listed below are three the explanation why the Rockets should commerce Harden:

1. Avoiding extra current and future drama

As if their chaotic offseason wasn’t sufficient, the Rockets’ season opener in opposition to the Oklahoma City Thunder was additionally postponed after an outbreak of COVID-19 amongst their gamers. Whereas Harden was not believed to be the reason for the outbreak, it pressured the staff to quarantine some of his teammates, similar to new acquisitions John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins, who have been imagined to make their debuts for the Rockets.

The report on Harden throwing the ball at rookie teammate Jae’Sean Tate after a heated change throughout apply is stunning, particularly since eight-time All Star is understood extra for having a laid again character. However these stories level to a mounting frustration by the previous MVP concerning his commerce demand and present scenario with the Rockets. With the season already underway, one of the best ways for Houston to keep away from extra drama is to ship Harden to considered one of his most popular locations.

It’s solely been a bit of over a month since Harden expressed his want to play elsewhere, however the scenario has already gotten messy and has dragged into the season. There’s no telling how this distraction will affect his teammates and the staff’s disposition as they give the impression of being to stay contenders in a tricky Western Convention, however the sooner the Rockets can transfer on from their star, the higher will probably be for his or her current and future.

2. Serving to the Rockets transfer ahead

By buying and selling for Wall and signing Cousins and large man Christian Wooden, new Rockets normal supervisor Rafael Stone has made it clear that the Rockets would fairly contend this season as a substitute of rebuilding just like the Thunder. A lineup that includes Harden, Wall, Cousins, Wooden, plus core gamers like Eric Gordon and PJ Tucker nonetheless offers Houston the possibility to contend within the Western Convention and attain the playoffs for a ninth consecutive season.

Nonetheless, it’s clear that the offseason strikes made the entrance workplace aren’t sufficient to persuade Harden to remain in Houston, which was made obvious when he declined an extension and requested to be traded to a contender. Even when they may not get their asking value for the previous Sixth Man of the Yr, one of the best commerce package deal that the Rockets can get for Harden will nonetheless encompass a present or potential All Star, a few rotation gamers, and future draft picks.

A participant like Ben Simmons of the Philadelphia 76ers, Spencer Dinwiddie of the Brooklyn Nets, or Michael Porter Jr. of the Denver Nuggets ought to have the ability to instantly assist the Rockets. These gamers aren’t Harden, who helped the Rockets make the playoffs for eight straight seasons, however few gamers are, and they’ll seemingly wish to play for his or her new staff.

3. Beginning a brand new chapter in Harden’s profession

When former Rockets normal supervisor Daryl Morey traded for Harden eight years in the past, he was contemporary from a stint within the NBA Finals, however was taking part in underneath the shadow of former Thunder teammates Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. However his time in Houston proved that The Beard could possibly be a star and may be one of the best participant on a staff.

In his time in Clutch Metropolis, Harden led the Rockets to eight seasons of at the very least 41 wins and two journeys to the Western Convention Finals whereas establishing himself as one of many league’s greatest gamers. However after their loss to the Los Angeles Lakers within the Convention Semifinals within the 2020 Playoffs, the Rockets underwent main modifications, together with the system that Harden had grown accustomed to. Gone are Morey and former head coach Mike D’Antoni, changed by Stone and a brand new head coach in Stephen Silas.

The staff achieved rather a lot with the previous Arizona State Solar Satan as their star, and was one Chris Paul damage away from presumably reaching the Finals two seasons in the past. Nonetheless, declining his extension this offseason and requesting a commerce despatched a message that he needs the following chapter of his profession to be with a special staff, even when the Rockets made strikes within the offseason to attempt to persuade him to remain.

It’ll be exhausting to examine Harden sporting a special uniform aside from the Rockets’ acquainted crimson and white jerseys. However dealing the disgruntled star to a special staff as a substitute of making an attempt to maintain him not solely helps Harden contend for an elusive first championship, but in addition helps Houston put together for what comes subsequent, whether or not it’s making an attempt to stay in rivalry or bottoming out and rebuilding by means of the draft.