It is increasingly looking like James Harden will not return to the Brooklyn Nets next year. Either he will get traded before next week’s NBA Trade Deadline, or he will he get traded after this season, or he will leave on his own accord. No matter what, though – the writing seems to be on the wall.
What has led to Harden’s abrupt discontent in New York? There are a few things. Whether one chooses to believe it’s more so because of Kyrie Irving or more so because of Steve Nash depends on which reports you buy into more.
Regardless of which story you trust, though – the unhappiness is there, and it’s real.
Given the growing disharmony on the Nets, an obvious question has arisen: how does Kevin Durant feel about all this?
According to ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski, Durant actually has a pretty levelheaded perspective on what is unfolding here.
KD wants James Harden to stay in Brooklyn according to Woj on “NBA Countdown”#NBATwitter #NetsWorld pic.twitter.com/iaDaA2RdXh
— 𝙏𝙖𝙡𝙠𝙞𝙣’ 𝙉𝘽𝘼 🗣️ (@_Talkin_NBA) February 6, 2022
“Here’s where Durant is on James Harden, I’m told,” Wojnarowski said.
“He believed that they would win, could win multiple titles with Kyrie Irving and James Harden. That’s why Kevin Durant pushed so hard to get Brooklyn to make that deal with Houston last year. And he still believes that.
“But he also believes this very strongly: that Harden, everyone else in Brooklyn is going to have to be as committed to this as he’s been.”
That said, if no trade occurs over the next week, Durant’s assumption seems to be that Harden is going to try and make things work.
“James Harden has told Durant, he has told Nets management that he wants to be there, and they are taking his word for that,” Wojnarowski added.
“…[Durant] absolutely wants to continue with James Harden. Stay the course with him. I think there’s still a real good chance that’s the case when we get past Thursday in the NBA with that 3 p.m. trade deadline.”
It will be interesting to see where things go from here.
Harden has obviously been linked to one significant trade, but superstar deals are notoriously difficult to pull off. There are always a lot of variables and any little unexpected thing could throw a major wrench into the works.
Yikes.https://t.co/ncgZ6PIa7v
— Game 7 (@game7__) February 6, 2022
This coming week will answer a lot. If Harden gets moved ahead of the NBA Trade Deadline, then that’s obviously that. Should Brooklyn retain him and then go on to win a championship, there is a chance the relationship will be salvaged.
Stay tuned. Things will only get more interesting from here.
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Charles Kruger has been credentialed to cover two Super Bowls, four NBA Finals, and one World Series. A 20-year veteran in the sports world, he has sources spanning the NBA, MLB, NFL, UFC and NASCAR. Currently residing in Los Angeles, Calif., he is Game 7’s go-to source for rumors surrounding the Lakers, Clippers and Dodgers.
