The 2020 NBA Draft came and went with few major trades occurring. All of the big-name players who some suspected would be on the move, namely James Harden and Russell Westbrook, remained with their original organizations.
But things almost went very differently.
According to Bill Simmons, there was talk on draft night of a massive three-team deal involving the Miami Heat, Brooklyn Nets and Houston Rockets.
“There was a rumor, not true, or if it was true it maybe lasted a second that they were trying to figure out a three-way deal with Kyrie ending up in Miami,” Simmons said on The Ryen Russillo Podcast. “Which I refuse to believe.”
Simmons thinks that, ultimately, Harden will end up with the Philadelphia 76ers.
“I don’t think that will happen. I think Harden is going to end up going to Philly, if I had to bet.”
That said, Simmons definitely believes that the Rockets are in the process of trading away all their big dollar players. According to The Ringer boss, Wednesday’s Al Horford trade has convinced him that something big is inevitably going down.
Poor Kyle Kuzma out here catching strays. https://t.co/AoWC9QuGv6
— Game 7 (@game7__) November 18, 2020
“I didn’t fully believe it until the Horford trade today that secretly saved Philly a lot of money,” Simmons continued. “With however much you have to add with whatever that Harden trade is. I think we all agree the Harden, Ben Simmons trade, whatever looks like, is the most logical trade. If Houston is going to trade Harden, they have to get someone like Ben Simmons back or it’s not worth it.”
Last week, reports surfaced that both Harden and Westbrook wanted out of Houston. Westbrook has been linked to the Los Angeles Clippers, Charlotte Hornets and New York Knicks.
LaMelo is officially ready for the league. #NBADraft https://t.co/HDnFLQQqzJ
— Game 7 (@game7__) November 19, 2020
Harden, meanwhile, has been most closely connected to Brooklyn. Multiple sources have confirmed that he is trying to bully his way onto the Nets in order to team up with Kevin Durant and Irving. As of now, the Rockets have refused to blink. Although they know Harden wants out, the front office seems intent on getting the best package available for him — regardless of what that ultimately means for his future.
According to ESPN NBA insider Tim McMahon, the Rockets “feel no pressure to trade James Harden or Russell Westbrook, regardless of the superstars’ strong desire for fresh starts with different franchises, and are ‘willing to get uncomfortable’ as training camp opens and the season begins.”
Lonzo Ball has a warning for his baby bro. https://t.co/KFW8za9Oxw
— Game 7 (@game7__) November 19, 2020
Harden is owed $41.3 million in 2020-21, $44.3 million in 2021-22 and has a player-option worth $47.4 million in 2022-23. By 2022-23, Houston will be paying just Harden, Westbrook and Eric Gordon $114 million combined. That is a lot of dough tied up in three players who will have a tough time securing a championship. Because of that, it’s understandable that the team wants to make a move to shed some salaries.
What will that move ultimately end up looking like when it’s all said and done?
Time will tell.
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Jennifer Withers Hoey is a former Business Development Manager who transitioned to writing about sports. With valuable connections all over the West Coast, she has used those contacts to break some of the most interesting stories pertaining to the Portland Trail Blazers, Oregon Ducks, LA Lakers, LA Clippers, Seattle Supersonics (RIP), and more.
