SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - JANUARY 14: James Harden #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots over Nickeil Alexander-Walker #6 of the Utah Jazz during the second half of a game at Vivint Arena on January 14, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
The Utah Jazz would be outright foolish to trade for James Harden
The Utah Jazz may be looking for one more name but that name shouldn’t be James Harden.
James Harden doesn’t want to be with the Philadelphia 76ers and will cause all sorts of drama to get his way. It shouldn’t be surprising that Harden is throwing a temper tantrum aimed at the front office, this is what so many players do now to get their way. Now, if a player is in year three of a five-year deal, and the front office got overhauled, and coaches got fired and teammates were traded; sure, ask, even demand a trade.
But Harden just opted-in to his contract a few weeks ago. He could’ve easily gone anywhere he wanted via free agency. He chose not to do so, and instead opted-in to his deal because no one was going to give him as much as he was currently making, let alone what he was asking for. So he tried to force his way out of Philadelphia via some less-than-honorable tactics. He’s allowed to want a certain salary to play, and he’s allowed to pick where he plays.
What is a problem is him taking the money from a club, but demanding to play for another. That’s bad business and it’s ruined his reputation. In fact, most fans outright dislike Harden these days for his diva mentality.
So why would any team want to trade for him?
Now, the Jazz aren’t rumored to be interested in Harden, but Bleacher Report’s Doric Sam did name them as a team with the assets for Harden. Sam goes on to write;
Another team with assets to play with is the Utah Jazz, who could package together players like Collin Sexton, Jordan Clarkson, Kris Dunn and Talen Horton-Tucker along with draft picks to persuade the Sixers to let go of Harden.
And while Harden would give the Jazz a stable passer at the point guard spot, the team can’t afford to lose both Sexton and Clarkson nor should any draft picks be sent back. Harden is on an expiring contract, with a limited ceiling and a history of failure in the playoffs. He’s not worth a lot of assets, let alone good ones.
Nor is his ego worth taking on considering his age and declining play. The Jazz would be outright fools to make a deal for Harden, considering that, at best, the team gets into the play-in round. Harden, today (and maybe in his prime) is not so much better that you can give up four players for him and not unilaterally get worse at the same time.
Pass on Harden. We beg you.
