James Harden Touchdown Spots: 5 Free Company Locations for the Former MVP and 11-Time All-Star

Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden is probably going gearing as much as enter unrestricted free company this summer time. He has a participant choice for simply over $36 million that he’s anticipated to say no in favor of reaching a longer-term deal.

At 35 years outdated, Harden continues to be working at a excessive stage, having averaged 22.8 factors, 5.8 rebounds, and eight.7 assists final season. He was awarded his eleventh All-Star honor and led the Clippers to the playoffs, a shock based mostly on consensus preseason projections.

The 2018 MVP is predicted to land again with Los Angeles, doubtlessly on a three-year deal that’ll take him to age 38.

But when negotiations stall — as they often are inclined to with Harden — which groups could possibly be in line to signal him in free company?

5 Free Company Touchdown Spots for Guard James Harden

New Orleans Pelicans

With simply over $12 million of cap area, it might take some maneuvering for New Orleans to clear sufficient area for Harden’s new contract. There’s already been hypothesis about them buying and selling Zion Williamson this summer time, and that’s a straightforward $36 million cleared proper there if he’s moved.

That might enable Harden to take over because the Pelicans’ lead guard and let younger gamers like ahead Trey Murphy III, guard Jordan Hawkins, and middle Yves Missi be top-tier contributors as they develop their video games. It’s not essentially a “win-now” transfer, however New Orleans would profit in the long term from Harden aiding within the growth of their younger expertise.

Brooklyn Nets

May the Nets and Harden rekindle their relationship after he abruptly requested a commerce in 2022 after simply two brief seasons? If he makes his free company resolution strictly off of cash, then it definitely might.

The Nets lead the league in cap area this summer time by a mile with over $55 million out there — a quantity they need to pay to any person. In a comparatively weak free company class, if Harden steps in and calls for a big sum of it, would Brooklyn say no?

They’ve been irrelevant for almost all of this decade and are hungry for somebody to market. “The Beard” would get his cash and be an ideal man for the Nets to hitch their wagon to as they proceed rebuilding.

San Antonio Spurs

Harden has been stingy about cash in his profession, holding out of coaching camp in 2023 as a primary instance. However, for as soon as, if he decides to take much less cash and go to a state of affairs the place he’d take a backseat in enjoying for an pleasant crew, it’d be with the Spurs.

Victor Wembanyama is the whole attraction for San Antonio, and he’s certain to drag free brokers to the Spurs sooner or later; would Harden dare to be the primary? The match with him and De’Aaron Fox within the backcourt wouldn’t be as clunky as one may suppose, as Fox has the flexibility to simply slide to the two-guard and permit Harden to run the present.

Utah Jazz

The Jazz have been rumored to be contemplating a possible commerce for 2023 All-Star ahead Lauri Markkanen. In the event that they achieve this, cap area can be cleared, permitting Harden to signal right here.

The Jazz would pursue Harden to not win however to assist develop their younger guards, who’ve considerably struggled in latest seasons. Welcoming a mentor on a one- or two-year deal can be an enormous profit to Utah’s long-term prospects, and it might additionally enable Harden to money in on a big payday.

Milwaukee Bucks

The Bucks might come up as an choice solely based mostly on the hypothetical Giannis Antetokounmpo commerce. In that case, Milwaukee would possible expertise a wholesale hearth because it begins a brand new chapter of its franchise.

Harden is a really marketable participant who would promote tickets because the group endures the monetary losses which are sure to return with seeing Antetokounmpo go away city.