The Nets have no intention of dealing former MVP James Harden by the trade deadline, sources tell ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. While this news isn’t surprising given Brooklyn’s championship aspirations, it’s noteworthy due to a recent report which stated that Harden was interested in testing the waters as a free agent this summer.
However, Harden has consistently informed upper management and ownership that he’s committed to staying and winning a championship with the Nets, allaying concerns that he might ask out in free agency, per Wojnarowski.
Harden, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving still believe the Nets are the best team in the league when the trio are healthy and in the lineup together — a relative rarity during their tenure. Durant is currently sidelined with a sprained MCL, while Irving is still unable to play home games due to New York City’s vaccine mandate. Irving’s part-time status has reportedly frustrated Harden.
The Sixers have been linked to Harden ever since Daryl Morey took over as president of basketball operations prior to last season. They were in the running to acquire Harden a year ago, but the Rockets ultimately accepted the Nets’ package that offered more draft picks. The Sixers haven’t made any trade offers to the Nets for Harden, and the Nets aren’t interested in listening to offers for their star guard ahead of the trade deadline on February 10, sources tell Wojnarowski.
The Nets will be able to offer Harden more years and more money than any other team in free agency. He’s among a handful of star free-agents-to-be – along with Zach LaVine and Bradley Beal – who can maximize their future earnings by forgoing an early extension and waiting until the offseason to sign a new deal.
Harden missed Wednesday’s game against Denver with left hamstring tightness, Nick Friedell of ESPN relays. Coach Steve Nash said it’s difficult to manage Harden’s minutes (37.0 per game) at times, especially with Durant out and Irving only able to play road games.
“It is a challenge,” Nash said. “We would like to protect him more. But he’s a competitor and wants to be out there so we try to have our little tug of war and I think that’s why at times we’d like to ask him to miss games so that he can regenerate and be a little bit safer as far as being ready to go when the playoffs begin.”
For the folks that don’t have ESPN?
Find another way it’s not that hard
Thanks, so helpful
Thank god. I was really worried Daryl was going to try and do something stupid again.
I mean, he said he didn’t want to leave Houston.
I can’t wait to hear what Harden has to say about Kyrie once he leaves Brooklyn. I bet there is some pretty harsh feelings over Kyrie’s decision.
There are these great sports stars out there that have been so accoladed, so praised, so sucked up to, that they’ve basically lost their minds, & now think they are bigger than … God. Look at Novak Djokovic, Arron Rodgers & Kyrie Irving right now during this global pandemic. They won’t even take a tiny shot to protect themselves, their families, their friends, any team they are on … or even their countries.
Net, net, yes Kyrie is great to watch dribble but he’s no teammate. Kyrie is screwing the Nets.
IMO
Teams can still target unavailable players
It depends on how much you want to make overpaid payments
It seems that Nets would refuse to chat with 76ers next two years
He is shooting 43% from the field and averaging 5 turnovers a game. He is a huge negative on the defensive end. Who wants their team to be the next one paying him $180m/4 years. No thanks.
That not far off the norm for Harden. Even is his MVP season he shot .449 with 4.4 turnovers. He got off to thought start this season because of the focus on fouls and being out of playing shape due to injury but he’s been coming around as if late.
True, those numbers are fine…when he’s playing at an MVP/near-MVP level. But he’s going to be pretty old by the end of his next contract, so ponying up that kind of money for him could be questionable.
Although I’d much rather have that kind of money committed to an aging Harden than, say, an aging Westbrook, injury concerns aside.
Well DUH!! lol Who wouldn’t have that money tied to Harden instead of Westbrook. Westbrook is the only “star” though that would be picked below Harden..You’re literally comparing him to THE WORST CONTRACT in the NBA…except for maybe John Wall lol
The real question is, would you rather have that money tied up to Harden, or say some of the free agents that’ll be available next off-season?? That’s the real question, or what about the players that will be available via trade??
If I’m the Nets, I’d definitely work-out a deal for Simmons. He’s much younger, and you have another perimeter/versatile defender to pair with KD and Kyrie. Simmons won’t have to worry about the lane being clogged, and he could help draw in defenders and kick it back out to either guy…
If it were my money, idc who the pieces are around my team, I’d take Simmons over Harden everyday and twice on Sunday. No defense, and now he’s also inconsistent offensively since he can’t trick refs into giving him free trips to the line. Ohhhh, AND he’s a sure thing to add at least four to six turnovers each and every game. Plus, he wasn’t super athletic before his injury, but now he moves slower than Paul Pierce, and is competing with Kyle Anderson to be the absolute SLOTH of the NBA..
Would you trade him for Gary Payton 2 straight up?
Harden will have limited suitors in FA, just bc only a few teams have space to sign hun outright. While a sign and trade to Philly is possible … if BK doesn’t love a Simmons based package I’m not sure who can give Beard leverage to demand it.
At the same time I think 99% of BK’s issues are due to Kyrie’s lack of availability. If that changes then I think all 3 are back next season.
The problem with Kyrie is that he’s also hurt a lot in addition to being a head case. And Durant has been getting hurt more frequently as he ages as well.
The biggest issue for the Nets will be simply getting all 3 on the court for an extended period of time.
You right NYC is really messing it up, can’t believe they think to have the right to decide what people can do, SMH!
BRK should just ignore them & play Kyrie all the games & see how the city has no power to stop them!
Miami, telling you. Morey wants him bad, but that South Beach life…
It’ll be like Lowry, Duncan, and a 1st for Harden and his bag of money.
I’d bet Miami wants nothing to do with Harden…Riley and Spoelstra are much smarter than to get tied up with that next albatross of a contract.
lol why would brooklyn take that. Bam,Herro and a pick would have to be part of any deal
Harden has had hamstring issues since his Rocket days. This is a not being in shape issue. Harden wanted Bklyn only to win a title and get that NY press. Unfortunately he doesn’t know who owns NY.
He sees it’s never going to work with Kyrie.
I would never pay either one of them to play for my team. Max money for this is insanity. Harden is definitely gone. He’s not leaving money on table, too greedy. It will be a sign n trade at end of yr. I’m Nets I get all I can from Moreyon. Ben is a nice fit with KD imo. Then I’d trade Kyrie too. Nets can redo team and still contend.