*Statistics courtesy of Spotrac*<\/a><\/em><\/p>\nTeam Odds to Land James Harden<\/h4>\n
*Odds Courtesy of PointsBet*<\/em><\/p>\nTeam\u00a0 \u00a0<\/strong> \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Odds<\/strong><\/p>\nRockets\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0+150<\/em>
\nClippers\u00a0 \u00a0 +200<\/em>
\nKnicks\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0+300<\/em>
\nLakers\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0+600<\/em>
\nSuns\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 +1000<\/em><\/p>\nHouston Rockets +150<\/h5>\n
James Harden spent almost a decade of his career with the Houston Rockets,<\/strong><\/em> and rumors have been swirling that there may be a possible return back to Houston.<\/i> The Rockets are a very young team<\/strong><\/em> and hired new Head Coach Ime Udoka.\u00a0<\/strong><\/em> A veteran presence would be great for this Houston team, who has an average age of 22.3.<\/em>\u00a0 The Rockets selected guard Amen Thompson in this year's draft, to play alongside guard Jalen Green.\u00a0 Although James Harden is 33 years old, it's hard to envision him having a role off the bench. It was reported this week, Jalen Green made comments on a podcast, which didn't sit right with James Harden.\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n According to Kelly Iko, from the Athletic, \"James Harden caught wind of Jalen's podcast with Paul George, and he wasn't too keen on some of the things Jalen Green was saying... For Jalen to say it could be good, it could be bad, James didn't like that very much.\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\nIt's important to note the Houston Rockets have the most cap space ($52 million) in the NBA<\/strong><\/em> and has some pieces to move for James Harden.\u00a0 The question is, can Harden overcome Greens comments, and is he willing to lead a young core?\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\nLos Angeles Clippers +200<\/h5>\n
To me, the Los Angeles Clippers make the most sense for James Harden<\/em>.\u00a0 Although the Clippers have superstars in Paul George and Kawhi Leonard<\/strong><\/em>, both haven't been able to stay healthy, and underachieved in the playoffs.<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0 The Clippers are over the cap space by $71 million,<\/em> however, have the assets to trade for Harden.\u00a0 According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George \"are said to be on board with the idea of Harden potentially joining their core.\" Also, there have been reports that Harden wants to play with Clippers, per Sports Illustrated.<\/em><\/p>\nWhy the Clippers make sense.<\/h5>\n
The Los Angeles Clippers were without Kawhi Leonard and Paul George in 2022-2023 playoffs due to injury.\u00a0 The Clippers finished 5th in the Western Conference and picked up veteran guard Russell Westbrook, who is now a free agent. <\/strong><\/em>We've seen Harden link up with other all-starts, such as Kevin Durant, Westbrook, and Kyrie Irving. If Leonard and George can stay healthy, this would be a potentially scary lineup, especially with the competition in the Western Conference.\u00a0<\/em> With the new CBA coming out, it could potentially affect a deal like this, or the organizations financially ability to build around the stars.<\/p>\nThe Clippers had point guards in the past, such as Terrance Mann, Reggie Jackson, John Wall, and most recently, Russell Westbrook. Along with injury concerns, it certainly feels Los Angeles has lacked a true point guard who can create their own shot, and score.\u00a0 <\/strong><\/em>When healthy, both George and Leonard have lacked a true skilled point guard.\u00a0 Although the Clippers are over the cap space, they can offer future first round picks and players.\u00a0 That includes Marcus Morris ($ 17 Million), Nicolas Batum ($11 Million), Robert Covington ($11 Million), or Normal Powell ($18 Million).<\/em> To be this make the most sense for Harden to go back to his hometown<\/strong> <\/em>and chance to win an NBA Championship.<\/p>\nNew York Knicks +300<\/h5>\n
The Knicks acquired start guard Jalen Brunson last free agency<\/strong><\/em> and surprised many by making the playoffs.\u00a0 The Knicks have talent around Brunson, including RJ Barrett ($23 Million), Julius Randle ($25 Million), Josh Hart ($12 Million), and Mitchell Robinson ($15, Million)<\/em>.\u00a0 Although Barrett is a great player, James Harden could be the player the Knicks so badly need alongside Jalen Brunson. According the Spotrac, the New York Knicks are over the cap space by $24 million.\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\nJalen Brunson is an incredible, player, and I do think he's a better point guard then Harden is currently.\u00a0<\/strong><\/em> We've seen James Harden play off the ball with Kyrie Irving, and I personally feel he's better with the ball in his hands. It would be hard to envision how Brunson and Harden would work alongside each other, considering they are primary ball handlers. The Knicks declined to pick up Derrick Rose $15 million and have future first round picks.\u00a0 However, the likely hood of them sending Barrett or Randle could be likely.\u00a0 I truly believe there are better destinations for James Harden.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\nLos Angeles Lakers +600<\/h5>\n
In a perfect world, James Harden would make sense for the Lakers.\u00a0<\/em> Los Angeles has stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis<\/strong> <\/em>and have experimented with the point guard position for some time now.\u00a0 From Russell Westbrook to D'Angelo Russell, the Lakers have struggled to find a true point guard who can score, create their own shot consistently, and dish out the ball.\u00a0<\/strong> <\/em>The Lakers are losing players in Malik Beasley and Mo Bamba, and only have a handful of players on contracts currently.<\/p>\nAustin Reaves proved how valuable he is as a guard in the playoffs.<\/em> It's important to note both him and Rui Hachimura are both free agents.\u00a0 The Los Angeles Lakers are over the cap space by $104 million,<\/strong><\/em> however, could truly use Harden at the point.<\/p>\nPhoenix Suns +1000<\/h5>\n
According to Sam Amick of the Athletic, James Harden has \"serious interest\" in getting traded to the Suns for multiple reasons, including the fact he attended Arizona State University, owns a house in Phoenix, and considers it his \"third home of sorts.\"\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\nAs we all know, Bradley Beal was traded from the Washington Wizards to the Phoenix Suns,<\/strong><\/em> which leaves them $80 million over the cap space.\u00a0<\/em> Although Chris Paul was included in the trade deal, the Suns owe the next 7 years of first round picks to the Brooklyn Nets and Washington Wizards.\u00a0<\/strong><\/em> In addition, the suns don't have many trade pieces, aside from Deandre Ayton.<\/em>\u00a0 Besides, Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, and Ayton, the Suns have Cameron Payne and Ishmail Wainright. The Suns are lacking financially freedom and lack of depth at this time.\u00a0 Before the Beal trade, I would say Harden to the suns makes perfect sense, but now it's looking like a long shot.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\nOther options<\/h5>\n
There may be other Darkhorse teams considered, such as the Boston Celtics, and the Miami Heat.\u00a0 My prediction will be the Clippers, based off their assets to trade, and the fact they have two superstars there.\u00a0 However, with Max Strus and Gabe Vincent not guaranteed to come back, Miami needs a true playmaker alongside\u00a0Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo.\u00a0 Brad Stevens and the Celtics traded back several times in the draft. Do they have something up their sleeves?\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n\n