The Golden State Warriors have the assets to make an offer for James Harden. Here are 3 reasons they should absolutely not trade for the disgruntled guard.
For the Golden State Warriors, rumors are part of the package that follows when you are always in the market for star talent. They have proven that over the years, from signing Kevin Durant or D’Angelo Russell to attempts to acquire Dwight Howard or Kevin Love. Will they toss their hat into the ring for the latest disgruntled star, James Harden?
Harden is well known to the Warriors and their fans. His Houston Rockets faced the Warriors in four of their five runs to the NBA Finals. With Houston again falling short in the postseason a few months ago, and the organization in flux around him, it has been reported that Harden is ready to get out of town. Multiple teams have been mentioned as on Harden’s “list” and the general vibe seems to be that he wants to play with a contender:
Teams would be reluctant to give up the assets required to get a player of Harden’s caliber without confidence that he would be willing to remain long-term. Few contenders have ability to furnish Houston with the combination of assets that it’s seeking to consider dealing Harden. https://t.co/VQlSZCrUAa
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 8, 2020
The Warriors are in a position to make an offer if they so desire. They have matching salaries, from Andrew Wiggins to the injured Klay Thompson. They have assets, including young players such as James Wiseman and Eric Paschall, or draft assets like Minnesota’s 2021 first-round pick. If they pushed the chips in, their offer would be right there with any other team’s package.
The question that must be asked first is should they make an offer for James Harden. The Rockets are likely to demand the moon from a team to move a perennial MVP candidate in his prime. Anthony Davis reset the superstar trade market when the New Orleans Pelicans exacted everything but the clothes on the Los Angeles Lakers’ back in a similar situation last year.
Compelling reasons to trade for James Harden exist. He is a dynamic offensive player, he can shoot, and he fits the timeline of the Warriors’ other core veterans. Wiseman or the 2021 pick are not going to help the team win a title this year when owner Joe Lacob is paying an exorbitant luxury tax bill to field the most competitive team possible.
Despite those reasons, there are more convincing reasons not to trade for Harden. They once made the decision not to trade for an available star in Kevin Love, keeping Klay Thompson instead. That was the right call, and it would be the right call again not to make a deal. Here are three reasons the Warriors should not trade for James Harden.