The Brooklyn Nets could have some difficult decisions to make in the coming weeks. They are looking to contend for a championship this NBA season, but they need to keep an eye on the future as well.
If the Philadelphia 76ers get their way, James Harden will be on their roster at the start of next season. Daryl Morey acquired Harden from the Oklahoma City Thunder when he was general manager of the Houston Rockets and attempted to do the same last season with the 76ers before the Nets swooped in.
Morey’s end goal in the Ben Simmons saga seems to be to acquire Harden. He would make for a dynamic pairing with Joel Embiid and catapult the 76ers into true contender status. It would also weaken one of their biggest rivals in the Nets, whose Big 3 could become a Big 1 by the start of the 2022-23 campaign.
Right now, Kevin Durant is the only member of that Big 3 locked in long-term. Harden is going to hit free agency this summer and Kyrie Irving could join him as extensions were not worked out for either player.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: NBA Insider Reveals Why James Harden Could Leave Brooklyn Nets
There have been a lot of rumors recently about James Harden ultimately ending up with the 76ers over the offseason, as his frustrations are growing with the Brooklyn Nets. The situation with Irving, who is a part-time player because he remains unvaccinated, is one of the biggest issues that Harden has.
With Durant now sidelined for a few weeks, an already heavy burden has become that much tougher for Harden to carry. He is the only member of the Big 3 that can currently play in home games as Irving is ineligible to play in New York City because of their vaccine mandates in place.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: NBA Insider Reveals Why James Harden Could Leave Brooklyn Nets
With the possibility of their Big 3 breaking up seeming legitimate, could the Nets make a move before the deadline? Trading Kyrie Irving could help improve their chances of retaining Harden, but that is likely a move that would irk Kevin Durant. Durant joined Brooklyn to team up with Irving and there have been reports that he was what kept the Nets from discussing Irving for Simmons swaps previously.
There are a lot of moving parts when it comes to the Nets. At full strength, they are one of the best teams in the NBA, but they will never be at full-strength as long as Irving is a part-timer. In a vacuum, trading him makes sense but there will be a trickle-down effect because of that move.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: NBA Insider Reveals Why James Harden Could Leave Brooklyn Nets
Going all-in to mend the relationship with James Harden would be a huge gamble. The Brooklyn Nets could trade Kyrie Irving and still watch Harden leave in free agency this summer. Brooklyn thought they could become the next dynasty in the NBA, but before they were able to take off, things could be crumbling before their eyes.
