James Harden has been talked about in the same breath as the Boston Celtics–as well as a few Eastern Conference contenders. Here are 3 deals that send him all over the Atlantic Division.
We’ve officially reached the critical mass portion of the offseason where the man who averaged 35 points per game the past two years, James Harden, wants a trade away from the Houston Rockets. What makes it critical mass, you ask? The Boston Celtics are in the conversation, with boston.com bringing up the possibilities of what the Cs can offer…and what the Rockets would take:
"The Celtics cannot trade the $28.5 million trade exception they received for Gordon Hayward because Harden’s salary ($41.2 million) is larger than the exception. Every other player on the Celtics’ roster is available to trade. Because the Celtics are over the salary cap, they must match salaries in any trade and with Harden’s large salary, they’d more than likely have to trade two of Kemba Walker, Jaylen Brown, and Marcus Smart. The Rockets likely wouldn’t want Walker due to his age (30), recent knee issues, and their recent acquisition of John Wall."
As Connor Roche points out, the more likely trade package would involve some combination of Boston’s recent draft picks of the last six years outside of Taum:
"That leaves Brown and Smart as the two players who would likely have to go in order for Harden to come to Boston. Brown ($23.7 million) and Smart’s ($13.4 million) salaries would be enough to match Harden’s salary, according to ESPN’s Trade Machine. The Celtics could also trade any of Robert Williams, Romeo Langford, Grant Williams, Aaron Nesmith, and Payton Pritchard (all of whom the Celtics have picked in the first round of the draft over the last three years) to help sweeten the pot."
With that in mind, the Houdini has concocted the 3 following James Harden blockbusters that could happen before the season–and we know that because he was abruptly traded to Houston in the same fashion!
Why the Boston Celtics do it
Boston adding Ben Simmons as a playmaking power forward allows the team to surround Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum with two All-Star floor generals that could share the floor due to Kemba Walker’s ability to share the spotlight and his long-range shooting abilities.
Giving up Marcus Smart and a future first round pick is a fair price to pay to bring on P.J. Tucker and Mattise Thybulle as well.
Why the Houston Rockets do it
If Harden is going to hold out of training camp, the price tag for the $41 million man can’t be too high. Marcus Smart and two future first round picks is a nice reward for taking on Tobias Harris’ contract. If Harris turns out to be a better fit in H-Town, he and Smart are a nice way to keep the team competitive in the coming years when they lack a draft pick and don’t have a reason to lose.
Why the Philadelphia 76ers do it
Giving up an All-Star lefty point guard who can get to the rim at will is difficult, but it is easier when you are replacing him with an even better ball-handler who can actually shoot the ball.
Harden reuniting with Daryl Morey in Philadelphia makes too much sense.
Why the Boston Celtics do it
Spencer Dinwiddie has been deemed a dream target by yours truly in the past and–especially now with Kemba Walker’s injury concerns and rising salary–that remains true. He would add a new dimension to the bench and a temporary boost to the starting lineup in Walker’s absence.
Giving up merely a first-round pick next year that should be in the late 20’s and Romeo Langford is an appropriate price to pay for Dinwiddie.
Why the Houston Rockets do it
Caris LeVert is a great building block replacement for Harden, and at just $17 million a year for the next few seasons, he may already be a better value than the “Beard”. Alongside John Wall, he could keep the team competitive as they face the prospect of no draft picks every other year.
Jarrett Allen adds another legitimate center to the rotation after Houston added DeMarcus Cousins and Christian Wood in the offseason. It would be a nice homecoming of sorts for the former Texas Longhorn.
Taurean Prince would also be making a bit of a homecoming being from San Marcos, Texas and playing his college ball at Baylor. Two future first ties the deal together.
Why the Brooklyn Nets do it
Forming a “big 3” with Kyrie Irving, James Harden, and Kevin Durant seems tenous after Durant’s recent comments seemingly shunning the idea of the All-NBA guard being traded to Brooklyn. To be fair, that isn’t what he signed up for, already ceding touches to Irving.
We’ll see if the former Oklahoma City Thunder teammates play together again.
Why the Boston Celtics do it
Landing James Harden while not trading away Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown would be the definition of a victory. Doing so while adding a traditional power forward like Thaddeus Young, who makes up for any supposed defensive shortcomings unfairly attached to Harden’s reputation, would be a stroke of genius by Danny Ainge.
Imagine a Harden-Brown-Tatum-Young-Theis/Thompson starting five. That sounds menacing on both ends, and it sounds potentially banner #18 material.
Why the Houston Rockets do it
This is easily the best return package for the Rockets in a James Harden trade. Lauri Markkanen and Zach LaVine immediately create an intriguing core with John Wall and Christian Wood (and maybe even DeMarcus Cousins if healthy).
The two first-round draft picks are simply gravy.
Why the Chicago Bulls do it
This is an intriguing talent swap for the Chicago Bulls. Markkanen has the best future prospects, and LaVine might have the second most. That said, Kemba Walker being in tow immediately elevates the team to playoff contention, particularly with Marcus Smart–the man who has never missed the postseason–joining him.
Romeo Langford and Robert Williams are two more high-value adds that make for a good young bench unit alongside Coby White and Patrick Williams.