The James Harden trade market is at a standstill, but it shouldn't be. These four dark horse teams should have immediate interest in the former MVP.
The Philadelphia 76ers are back in the spotlight. In this week's episode of the NBA's best soap opera, James Harden has called Sixers president Daryl Morey 'a liar' and vowed to never play for an organization he's a part of ever again. It's a heartbreaking and tragic twist. The NBA's most prominent player-manager bromance is dead in the water.
As the Sixers look to navigate the turbulent waters of Harden's public displeasure, it's only natural for trade rumors to circulate. That said, Philadelphia has momentarily ended trade talks after no traction was gained with the Los Angeles Clippers, Harden's preferred destination.
It's understandable, of course, that teams are hesitant to trade for a 33-year-old in the final year of his deal. Harden has also demanded trades from his last three teams, which could lead to natural reticence from franchises not listed on his one-team wishlist.
Here's the thing, though. Harden no longer has the leverage. No team was willing to pay him a long-term contract last summer. Who's to say next summer will be any different? He wants to go to the Clippers, but the Clippers haven't made any genuine effort to trade for him.
If a team trades for Harden and embraces him with open arms — and potentially a juicy contract offer next summer — that team will have the upper hand. We have seen superstars thrive in unexpected places before. Harden is no longer the MVP of yesteryear, but he is one of the best offensive engines working today.
These teams aren't generally thought of as Harden trade destinations, but all three should hit the phone lines and make Daryl Morey a real offer.
Dark horse James Harden trade destination: 3. Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors finished last season 41-41, good for ninth place in the East and a swift exit in the play-in tournament. Pascal Siakam trade rumblings have proliferated all offseason after Fred VanVleet left for Houston in free agency. There's reason to believe Masai Ujiri is closer than ever to embracing the tank.
What if Ujiri salvages the current group instead? The Raptors probably should think about getting younger, but James Harden is James Harden. Age, contract, and his track record of unhappiness are all valid concerns. But, he was a genuine top-five point guard last season. He led the NBA in assists and was a prolific, efficient three-level scorer.
Harden elevates teammates at a level few other NBA stars can achieve. Even when his own production fluctuates, Harden is always improving those in his orbit. Joel Embiid had the best scoring season of his life next to Harden. Not a coincidence. Tyrese Maxey took off once Harden arrived. Related? I think so.
A lack of spacing and offensive cohesion gravely impacted Pascal Siakam last season, and he still put up the best numbers of his career. Siakam would be in line for another leap in production next to Harden, who can still draw multiple defenders in the middle of the floor. Harden would unlock Siakam as a pick-and-roll weapon while also spoon-feeding him easy finishes and mid-range jumpers, just like he did for Embiid in Philadelphia.
The Raptors would have two bonafide top-30 players helming the offense. Harden would boost Toronto's lowly 3-point numbers. He can place OG Anunoby and Scottie Barnes in more advantageous positions to score. Meanwhile, the Raptors have the length and defensive versatility to cover for Harden's primary area of weakness.
This is a tremendous fit. Toronto doesn't have to rebuild if the right star becomes available. Well, he's available.
Dark horse James Harden trade destination: 2. Orlando Magic
The Magic would inevitably catch criticism for skipping steps, especially if Harden doesn't emphatically embrace the partnership. Orlando is one of the youngest teams in the NBA, fresh off a 34-win season. Orlando's front office has very patiently built up its cache of young talent. Blowing it up for Harden would be an unexpected pivot.
Thing is, the Magic wouldn't have to 'blow it up' to get Harden. No matter how ardently Daryl Morey postures, the Sixers aren't going to get top dollar back for an expiring Harden under the current circumstances. The Magic can offer a decent collection of immediate contributors, young prospects, and draft picks without completely devastating the young core.
Orlando should take interest in Harden because of his aforementioned ability to elevate teammates. Maxey's leap to stardom coincided with Harden's arrival; why can't the same thing happen with Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero, both of whom are already better than Maxey?
The Magic should view the 33-year-old as a bridge to the future. He can connect the dots from lottery team to contender. The Magic wouldn't win a title next season, but Harden can probably get them to the playoffs. Banchero's efficiency would shoot through the roof, Wagner would get a ton of clean driving lanes, and Wendell Carter Jr. would vacuum up easy points at the rim. All while Harden puts up numbers, earns one last contract for an Orlando team with cap space to burn, and helps the Magic start winning games.
Harden has tricks to teach young guards like Anthony Black and Jalen Suggs. My sneaking suspicion is that any Harden trade would be built around Markelle Fultz and Gary Harris. Sending Fultz back to Philly is the perfect capstone for whatever we want to call the last decade of Sixers basketball.
The Magic get better, fast. You have to stop playing for lottery picks eventually. Banchero and Wagner are going to quickly climb the ladder of NBA stardom. It's not like Harden would be soloing out there. This is probably mildly wishful thinking from Orlando's perspective — Harden clearly wants a big market with established stars — but the fit is strong. Orlando needs a traditional point guard who can jack 3s. Few are better than Harden.
Dark horse James Harden trade destination: 1. Minnesota Timberwolves
The Harden-Maxey duo has been pure crackling electricity for the Sixers. Harden is slow and deliberate. Maxey is lightning in a bottle, capable of accelerating from 0-to-60 in a split second. Harden often draws double teams in the middle of the floor before kicking it to Maxey, whose speedy drives keep the defense skating on ice trying to recover.
Well, imagine Harden and Anthony Edwards in the backcourt. Edwards can't quite top Maxey's 3-point numbers, but he's the most vicious slasher in today's game. He would receive an efficiency boost with Harden setting the table, similar to Maxey. Defenses would have their hands full trying to contain the violently contrasting styles of Minnesota's backcourt stars.
Meanwhile, the Wolves have one of the most versatile offensive bigs in NBA history in Karl-Anthony Towns. He's not Joel Embiid, but he's a balletic post finisher who can splash 3s at a prodigious rate. He would essentially fall to No. 3 on the defensive priority list, and let me tell you: KAT can still feast when he's priority No. 1.
Rudy Gobert's crumbling career would receive quite the lift with Harden's arrival. Finally, a guard who is not only willing, but eager to pass it to Gobert. Harden spent the most productive years of his career with an elite vertical threat the rim. Gobert isn't prime Clint Capela on offense, but he's a massive body who can is naturally very efficient. He has led the NBA in field goal percentage three of the last five years.
Minnesota also has a burgeoning two-way star in Jaden McDaniels, who ranks as one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA. McDaniels shot 39.8 percent from 3-point range last season and would receive the best looks of his life playing with Harden. It's hard to overstate how potent the Wolves would look on paper.
Of course, you have to give something to get something. Minnesota probably doesn't have what Philadelphia wants — a star its willing to trade for Harden — but maybe a one-year Mike Conley rental, a few young prospects, and whatever is left of their draft picks gets the deal done. There's the natural "does Harden want to be here" concern with bringing the notorious night-life fanatic to Minnesota, but the Wolves would legitimately profile as one of the best teams in the West. If Harden wants to compete for a title, there's a world in which Minnesota gives him that opportunity.
The Wolves are stuck between a rock and a hard place after the Gobert trade. Maybe Harden offers them a way out.