Would the Nets dare trade James Harden before the NBA trade deadline?

The Brooklyn Nets discover themselves at a low level of the Large Three period. Losers of six video games in a row, the Nets’ dream of a celebrity trio blitzing by way of the league nonetheless exists. It simply will get tougher and tougher to image when it at all times looks as if one thing else pops as much as thwart Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving.

During the last couple of weeks, there have been loads of rumors that Harden has a wandering eye. When a really precious participant is brazenly keen to discover free company, as Harden has indicated he’s, groups are inclined to no less than contemplate commerce choices as a result of the specter of dropping such an important participant for nothing could be devastating. Exceptions to that rule, after all, embrace the situation when a crew may be very a lot in competition for a title.

Ask the 2018-19 Golden State Warriors, who had myriad causes to consider KD may go away them, how deeply they thought of transferring on from the two-time Finals MVP. While you’re Finals favorites, it’s a lot simpler to be snug with that danger.

Nonetheless, Harden’s frank admission about free company and the rumors swirling round it beg the query: Would the Nets dare transfer him earlier than the commerce deadline?

Harden had a brutal four-point efficiency in a loss to the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday. At instances he seemed fatigued or disengaged. After the sport, the previous MVP didn’t do a lot to quell notions he’s no less than a bit disgruntled in Brooklyn in the meanwhile.

“We simply obtained a number of various things internally, lineups, we’ve not had no continuity but so ….

Have they hit a breaking level with all of the setbacks?

“I dunno, I’ve by no means had a six recreation dropping streak, I do know that.”

-James Harden was pissed off after loss to the Kings. pic.twitter.com/z9tGgvaQTq

— DaveEarly (@DavidEarly) February 3, 2022

Then again, may this whole train be preposterous?

Harden dropped 37 factors, 11 assists and 10 rebounds in a highway win over the San Antonio Spurs lower than two full weeks in the past. He adopted that up with one other 30-plus level triple-double vs. the Los Angeles Lakers. Wouldn’t the Nets be outright insane to think about buying and selling Harden after parting with so many belongings to convey him in? You’ll be able to’t hit eject earlier than giving the Large Three a real probability to thrive, are you able to?

Not everybody agrees it’s that easy.

If the 76ers’ supply for James Harden is on the desk earlier than the commerce deadline, the Nets ought to no less than pay attention.

Ben Simmons and Seth Curry could be a suitable return, contemplating what James Harden has given you this 12 months.

— Alec Sturm (@Alec_Sturm) February 3, 2022

Earlier within the season, the Nets talked about how Harden was held again as a result of he wasn’t in a position to scrimmage over the summer season, as a substitute rehabbing a Grade 2 hamstring pressure suffered in 2020-21. They’ve known as him the “poster little one” for brand spanking new rule modifications geared toward lowering non-basketball strikes. Earlier than Irving grew to become a part-time participant, there was discuss how his absence decreased Brooklyn’s floor-spacing, additional complicating Harden’s process of determining his function as a hybrid scorer/facilitator.

If we had been inclined, we might level to quite a lot of legitimate causes Harden hasn’t seemed anyplace near the man the Nets had pre-injury final season on a constant foundation. We might additionally fear that is merely his new regular.

The Nets ought to positively be apprehensive about dropping him come July. They could additionally worry that dropping $270 million to maintain Harden over the following 5 seasons poses the numerous danger of his somewhat precipitous decline.

There may be not a simple reply right here. I could also be a prisoner of the second proper now. Following one crummy Harden efficiency on the second night time of a back-to-back whereas he nursed a sore hand, I could be overreacting.

But when I had been GM Sean Marks, and the Sixers supplied me a bundle like Ben Simmons (not too long ago vaccinated) and Seth Curry, or higher but, Simmons and rising star Tyrese Maxey, I’d must suppose lengthy and laborious about turning that down. It seems like Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo Sports believes Marks could have already got that provide on the desk.

.@VinceGoodwill on the Simmons/Harden stuff: “I do consider that Sean Marks has on the desk a James Harden for Ben Simmons and Tyrese Maxey—and possibly a mix of filler and picks—deal on the desk that he’s simply not entertaining.”

— Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) January 28, 2022

I’m on the fence in regards to the rumored Simmons-Maxey deadline swap; that has me considering it’s no less than price contemplating.

Zooming out, I’d do all the pieces I might to attempt to make this work with Harden, Durant and Irving. I actually do consider that in the event that they’re wholesome, if that they had a bit time to develop chemistry, they might win the title. However with Irving part-time and a rash of different points that at all times appear to pop up, plus the possibility that Harden could go away the Nets quickly anyway, I believe Marks and firm ought to least hearken to no matter gives come their means this week.

First, the Nets ought to verify in once more with Harden. If he vows to Brooklyn’s decision-making brass, Durant included, that he needs to remain, then you possibly can inform Daryl Morey “thanks however no thanks, name us in June.” But when Harden waffles, then you definately’ve obtained one week to hatch your backup plan. Would the Nets dare to commerce Harden earlier than this deadline? In all probability not. However ought to they dare? That’s a bit extra sophisticated.