With James Harden’s trade requests now public, teams around the league are engaging in talks to acquire the 8x All-Star.
Early reports indicated the Nets as the most likely destination for Harden, but a new team has since emerged in the fold: the Boston Celtics.
While the Nets & Sixers are believed to be frontrunners for James Harden, Boston Celtics are making a late push for Harden. They are trying to flip Kemba Walker and Gordon Hayward for picks and young assets that would appeal to Houston, frantically.
— đź‘‘ Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson (@ScoopB) November 17, 2020
If the Rockets do trade Harden, it is rumored they’ll want a haul of young players and picks — both of which the Celtics have in abundance.
Though, it should be noted that this report has been disputed by Celtics insider Mark Murphy.
Per league source on the Celtics' view of a potential James Harden deal: "No interest."
— Mark Murphy (@Murf56) November 18, 2020
With Harden and Jayson Tatum, Boston would have a title-contending duo that could make some serious waves in the East. On offense, the two could combine to average over 50 points per game. The question for them would be how much of their depth they’d have to give up in a potential deal. Is trading Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown, and a big chunk of their draft assets worth it?
That’s for them to figure out.
