The NBA officially updated the latest issue of the team's combat strength list, the Suns, Grizzlies and Warriors are in the top three, the Bucks are the highest-ranked Eastern Conference team, and the Nets are falling to the ninth place on the list. The NBA's official battle list is updated in real time, with the most reference to the performance of each team, which is obviously more convincing than the team record list. Most surprisingly, the Nets are at number nine on the list, and Durant's injury has greatly reduced the Nets' strength, but this is not the source of the Nets' weakness.
As Harden's personal abilities declined, so did his organizational influence, so much so that the Nets briefly had star incompatibilities. Harden's performance picked up after Nash promoted Edwards and Sharp, who were more suited to Harden, into the starting lineup, but that didn't solve the Nets' problem. The offseason will be the most important node of Harden's career, the next contract will determine the height of Harden's career, and whether Harden will become the next "uncrowned king" is here. Harden is the only big-name player in the offseason free agent market, and Harden is a fully free agent, which is no small temptation for other teams. The Nets have missed the best chance to renew Harden's contract, not to mention that the Nets' attractiveness is not dominant over other teams, and with signs that Max wants to trade Irving, the Nets may only be Left with Durant to lead the team next season.
There are not a few teams interested in competing for Harden at the moment. According to renowned journalist Shams, the Celtics, who have struggled this season, are still reluctant to make a big deal because they are preparing for the offseason, and the Celtics believe that as long as there is a suitable organizer, the double probe flower can be compatible, and Harden is their first choice in the offseason. In addition, multiple sources revealed that the 76ers tend to retain Simmons this season, waiting until the offseason to use it as the main chip for signing first and then replacing Harden. The Clippers, which have long lacked organizers, are also one of Harden's potential suitors.
Although Harden's strength is not as good as before, compared to the Rockets period has dropped a lot, Harden is still a good food in the free agency market, and other teams will not give up any opportunity to get him. Harden is a player with a full range of individual offense and team organization, whether hardened with Embiid, or George and Leonard with Harden, the 76ers and Clippers can become the first echelon of the league. The most suitable offensive system for Harden is a group of 3D players + a final type of interior, with the decline of Harden's personal attack ability, these players should have a player who can hold the ball singles. There is no shortage of such players in the Clippers, Celtics and 76ers, and they are perfectly compatible with Harden.
On the other hand, the Nets' roster rationality is not very attractive compared to other teams — Irving's personal problems are enough for Harden to exclude the Nets, and coupled with the Nets' unreasonable lineup base, Harden looks more like a player who helps the Nets through the difficulties. Unless the Nets can solve Irving's problems perfectly in the offseason, their appeal to Harden is already minimal. Today's Nets' only advantage is the contract salary, choose to stay with the Nets, Harden can sign the largest contract in history of 270 million for 5 years, which is not available to other teams, and the only advantage the Nets have at present. However, can contract salaries really be a decisive factor in Harden's choice of next home? It is estimated that the Nets themselves are not sure. If Harden just wanted to make more money, he didn't have to apply for a trade at the time, and staying with the Rockets was the best option. Just like Lillard, if Harden stays with the Rockets, he will be able to sign the biggest contract in history this summer without having to settle down.
The Nets don't want to keep Irving, and they can't keep Harden, which is a headache for the Nets. If Irving is traded and Harden cannot be retained, then they will become the fastest team to decline, when Durant is looking forward to a 5-year contract, can he continue to stick to it? Will the Nets, which have just recovered from Billy King's regurgitation, have to return to pre-liberation overnight? The most important thing for the Nets at present is to obtain Harden's contract extension commitment as soon as possible, so that their future can be completely determined, and trading Irving will not become a double-edged sword.