James Harden looks like the “Beard” from his Houston glory days again. He’s averaging nearly 28 points per game, handing out 9.3 assists, and shooting a solid 38% from three. In short, he’s playing at an NBA All-Star level. The problem is that his Los Angeles Clippers are going nowhere. With a 5-13 record and…
James Harden looks like the “Beard” from his Houston glory days again. He’s averaging nearly 28 points per game, handing out 9.3 assists, and shooting a solid 38% from three.
In short, he’s playing at an NBA All-Star level. The problem is that his Los Angeles Clippers are going nowhere. With a 5-13 record and sitting 12th in the West, Los Angeles today looks more like a dead end than a playoff team.
It’s no surprise, then, that Jeff Teague – former NBA champion and host of the Club 520 podcast – floated the idea: Harden should return to the Houston Rockets. In his view, the Beard’s talent is far too big to be wasted on a sinking team.
He’s playing at too high of a level to waste it. I know he’s from Los Angeles, and I’m pretty sure he likes being at home. But the Clippers are in bad shape. It wouldn’t be a bad thing for him to go back to Houston, back home. Go down there and try to win an NBA title, bro. They already have the pieces.
Jeff Teague
The Rockets are rising: they have intriguing young players and the ambition to aim high. The idea of a James Harden – Fred VanVleet trade is fascinating, though complicated. NBA rules – especially the infamous second apron – make things even tougher, and neither team would gain a clear immediate advantage by taking the risk.
They need to start over. You’ve got Kawhi Leonard being paid. You’ve got James being paid. I’m sure they’re paying other guys too, but you can clear that money, and VanVleet is about to be a free agent. So if you make a move now, I’m sure they’d be willing to give up James Harden for that expiring contract.
Jeff Teague
The Clippers don’t want to sell low on a star, and the Rockets don’t want to jeopardize their future. So Teague offers another scenario: open up cap space after a potential Harden departure and try to trade for LaMelo Ball.
You can do whatever you want to try to trade for LaMelo or whoever. I just think James is playing at such a high level right now that he should be able to compete. I hate the idea that James Harden might never win an NBA championship.
Jeff Teague
Building the future around LaMelo Ball – a player who has yet to prove consistent or physically reliable – would still be a major gamble for the Clippers. But in the NBA, when it comes to trades and rumor season, nothing can ever be ruled out: the league always delivers surprises.
