Hoops Habit
Fansided

NBA Trade Deadline: Every Team’s Most Untouchable Asset

By Maxwell Ogden

Nov 30, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) and forward Blake Griffin (32) during an NBA game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) and forward Blake Griffin (32) during an NBA game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
12 of 31
Next
Feb 13, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Houston Rockets guard James Harden competes in the three-point contest during the NBA All Star Saturday Night at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 13, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Houston Rockets guard James Harden competes in the three-point contest during the NBA All Star Saturday Night at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Houston Rockets: James Harden

The Houston Rockets are reportedly shopping Dwight Howard around the NBA trade market. The one player who, through thick and thin, has remained outside of the rumor mill is All-NBA shooting guard and MVP candidate James Harden.

Simply put, it’d be asinine for Houston to trade Harden for anything less than a superstar at 26 years of age.

Harden is currently averaging 28.0 points, 7.0 assists, 6.3 rebounds, 1.6 steals, and 2.8 3-point field goals made per game. His efficiency wavers, and his turnovers are a concern, but if there’s one thing that’s known about the Rockets, it’s that they live and die by Harden.

To trade him would be to hit the reset button with more power than the organization can realistically withstand.

If Harden were to be dealt in a superstar for superstar trade, then this wouldn’t be as much of an issue. Unless there’s a fellow All-NBA player coming to Houston, however, Harden is as close to untouchable as any player across the Association.

Harden’s defense is overwhelmingly inconsistent, but it’s fair to call him one of the Top 5 offensive players in the NBA.

Next: Indiana Pacers