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3 suddenly desperate NBA teams that need to trade for James Harden

By Duncan Smith

May 10, 2019; Houston, TX, USA;Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) dribbles against Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) in game six of the second round of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
May 10, 2019; Houston, TX, USA;Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) dribbles against Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) in game six of the second round of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /
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NBA, James Harden
NBA, James Harden Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Miami Heat

How much better are the Milwaukee Bucks than the Miami Heat without Jimmy Butler? About 47 points, apparently, as the Bucks set an NBA record for 3-pointers made with 29 in a 144-97 blowout win over the now 1-2 Heat. It was a lesson on the topic of the true hierarchy in the Eastern Conference where at least in the regular season the Bucks reign supreme.

While the Heat are drawing absolutely dead against the Bucks without Butler anyway, it does put into stark relief just how far apart the two teams really are from a talent perspective. Adding James Harden would change that completely, almost regardless of the package the Heat send to the Rockets.

Related Story. Miami Heat: Pros and cons of trading for James Harden. light

There are only two rules when it comes to trading for Harden, as far as the Heat are concerned. No deal will include Jimmy Butler, and no deal will include Bam Adebayo. Everybody else is (or should be) on the table, including sophomore phenom Tyler Herro.

It may not be a popular transaction for Heat fans because as with all fan bases, they overvalue their own young talent, but Harden is vastly beyond Herro’s ceiling and what should matter in Miami right now is Butler’s championship window and nothing else.