In the NBA free trade market now, rumors about Harden's trade have overshadowed Ben Simmons. After all, a "dismal" Harden also has an average of 22.5 points, 8 rebounds, 10.2 assists and 1.3 steals per game this season, and Ben Simmons is not even willing to shoot when in the open position, in addition to being commendable on the defensive end. For a star at the core level of the championship, Harden is undoubtedly a better choice than Simmons.
The Nets' recent 7 consecutive defeats have pushed the trade on Harden to the cusp of the storm, but objectively speaking, it is not Harden's responsibility for the Nets with the Big Three to fall into the situation they are now, and even Harden does not need to bear the main responsibility. Nash's coaching ability has been criticized, Durant's injury has reduced the nets' strength by a notch, Irving has not played a game for half a season, and after his comeback, he is a part-time player, as if Harden is the only reliable giant.
To date, Irving has played 2,930 minutes in total, playing 85 games for the Nets in three seasons (Nets debut: October 23, 2019); Harden has played 2,946 minutes in his Nets career and played 80 games in two seasons (Nets debut: January 16, 2021); Durant has played 2,469 minutes in his nets career and 71 games in three seasons (Nets debut: December 23, 2020).
Since Harden joined the Nets to form the Big Three, the Big Three have only played a total of 16 games together, and Harden, who joined the latest, is now the one with the most playing time. Even this season, Harden is the most appearances in the Big Three, the Nets once ranked No. 1 in the East this season, falling to the current No. 6 situation in the East, is this pot really going to be thrown on Harden?
However, from the current public opinion, Durant is impossible to leave the team, the healthy death is still the league's first killer on the offensive end; Irving is also likely not to leave the team, although he is currently a part-time player, but Irving's current wind evaluation is "very eager to play, as long as he will go all out." What's more, Durant and Irving chose to team up in Brooklyn in advance, sending away any one, the other will not be happy.
So, in any case, the "third party" Harden looks like a scapegoat. If the Nets with Durant + Irving + Harden at the beginning of the season, supplemented by Mills, Griffin, Joe Harris, Aldridge, Millsap and others are champions contenders, there will be many people nodding, but now to say such a statement, I am afraid that it will only lead to the Lakers Nets 'difficult brothers and sisters' ridicule. At this time, the call for The exchange between Harden and Ben Simmons is very loud, and it is not a viable choice for Harden.
In fact, Harden, who has not renewed his contract with the Nets for a long time, can jump out of the contract early this summer and become a free agent. If the 76ers join the 76ers before the closing date, Harden will still be eligible to sign a five-year super-salary renewal contract with the 76ers this summer worth about $270 million. That's the same amount of his contract he can renew with the Nets this summer.
And if Harden signs and then joins the 76ers this summer, he'll be eligible for a four-year contract extension worth about $200 million. If Harden chooses to execute next season's contract and subsequently apply for a deal, his new contract extension could increase by about $5 million.
76ers reporter Austin Krell said staying on the team for $5 million may not be worth it for Harden. And because of the $70 million gap, Harden may apply to be traded to Philadelphia before the trade deadline.
The 76ers believe that the combination of Harden and Embiid can impact the championship. The 76ers, who are missing Ben Simmons, are now no. 5 in the East, just two wins away from the No. 1 Bulls, plus a Harden? If Harden is really unhappy with the Nets, a trip to Philadelphia is not a good choice, not to mention the opportunity to make an extra $70 million!