While it is difficult to decipher all of the rumors swirling right now with reports from Adrian Wojnarowski and Shams Charania conflicting greatly in the apparent likelihood of a trade, one must examine the situation from Nets General Manager Sean Marks’ point of view to determine its likelihood. Last season, Marks sent a momentous package filled with two emerging players in Caris Levert and Jarrett Allen and the entire cupboard of future first round picks for James Harden. After one season in which the Nets were one Kevin Durant toe away from reaching the Eastern Conference Finals over the eventual champions despite injuries to Kyrie Irving and Harden, it is difficult to imagine Marks giving up hope on the Big 3 and sending Harden to their conference rivals.
That is not to say that a James Harden trade should be completely ruled out; in a star-driven league, if he is truly as disgruntled with the organization as some reports make it seem, there is a scenario where Marks attempts to get some value before the star guard could leave without any compensation via free agency this summer. But the Nets are a win-now team; win-now teams do not trade their star players mid-season when they are shaping up for a championship run.
Marks is in a position of power here. Philadelphia 76ers executive Daryl Morey wants Harden badly; trading Ben Simmons and an inconsistent at-best Danny Green for one of the top players in the league is not going to cut it. If Seth Curry, Tyrese Maxey, Mattise Thybulle, or some combination of the three enter the discussion, expect Marks to become more willing to listen. Until that happens, do not be surprised if the Nets keep their stars intact and attempt to appease Harden’s demands through smaller trades that add defense and shooting to their depleted roster. These next 48 hours can make or break the future of these franchises.
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