Could James Harden be a Buck? Shams Charania announced today on Twitter that James Harden has expanded his list of trade destinations to Milwaukee and Miami. And is this a shock? For the last 4-5 years, James Harden has yet to make a finals appearance, despite being an MVP candidate each of those years. They’ve tried rotating different casts around him, but nothing in Houston has seemed to work. With the emergence of the Lakers and Clippers as title contenders in the West, James is looking East to get to the finals.
If James Harden did become a Buck, what would that Bucks team look like? The Bucks would likely have to give up All-Star Kris Middleton, another young piece like Donte DiVencenzo, and a multitude of picks. I don’t see the Rockets settling for anything less than that, and even if that does happen, would it even work?
In Houston, James gets to play “Harden” ball. He’s in Iso and Pick and roll situations where he handles the ball the whole time. The whole offense is built around him. If he comes to Milwaukee, he’ll be playing with two time MVP Giannis Antetokoumpo. We don’t know how they’ll be together. They’re both great players, but what if they end up like Kiwai and Paul George? Or James Harden and every other superstar he’s teamed up with? It didn’t work with Westbrook, it didn’t work with Chris Paul, and although I think Giannis is better than both those players, James Harden would bring uncertainty to this year’s season.
On the other hand, I think if it did work out, we could be looking at multiple championships for this Buck’s team. It would be the most talented big man guard tandem since Shaq and Kobe. James Harden slows down games by getting to the line keeping Giannis fresh. He brings an elite scoring option that the Bucks lack when it counts. And it would compete with Lebron and Anthoney Davis for the top tandem in the league.
You’d be throwing away depth and future picks for a championship now. It’s a gamble, and if the Bucks win, it could make them the powerhouse of the league. The important thing to do in this situation if you’re the Bucks is do what Giannis wants to do. Giannis has yet to sign the supermax. And although he’s teased it all over social media that he will resign, you need to do what he wants to keep him. If he wants James Harden, you go out and get Harden. Whatever you do, keep your MVP happy. Don’t let him walk away like Kareem and Allen did.
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