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Nets: Nick Wright throws cold water on James Harden rumors

ByJerry Trotta|
HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 05: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets reacts before the game against the LA Clippers at Toyota Center on March 05, 2020 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 05: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets reacts before the game against the LA Clippers at Toyota Center on March 05, 2020 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)

“First Things First” co-host Nick Wright isn’t a firm believer that James Harden will be traded to the Nets.

The Brooklyn Nets have found themselves at the center of the spotlight once again this offseason, as they are widely reported to be the only desired landing spot for Houston Rockets superstar James Harden, who’s demanding a trade after previously stating his commitment to the organization.

To say that this changes everything for Brooklyn would be an understatement, and GM Sean Marks now has to think long and hard about whether adding a third ball-dominant scorer to the mix and potentially destroying team chemistry, as much as it would bolster his team’s championship odds, is worth forking over a haul of young assets and draft compensation.

The latest buzz around the league suggests that the Rockets are in no rush to trade Harden, a player under contract for two more seasons, and are more than willing to keep him on the roster beyond the start of the regular season on Dec. 22.

Well, in light of this speculation, “First Things First” co-host Nick Wright listed the Nets as the fourth-most-likely destination, with Houston having a better shot at retaining him, and Philadelphia leapfrogging Brooklyn, too.

We would agree that Harden staying in Houston, at least until the 2020-21 trade deadline, is the most likely outcome here, but a mystery team? We get that the Rockets have all of the leverage in terms of determining where the former MVP ends up, but considering everything he’s given the franchise over the last eight seasons — seriously, look at his numbers — they wouldn’t ship him to Utah or Chicago…right?

The 76ers were mentioned early on as one of Harden’s preferred destinations, but given how quickly this development has proceeded, that seems like ages ago. He probably knows better than to want to join that dumpster fire of a franchise, who still can’t get over the hump in the playoffs despite rostering two superstars.

That, in our eyes, would leave Brooklyn as the No.2 mostly likely landing spot for Harden. While the Nets reportedly haven’t been in contact with Houston since the eight-time All-Star’s intentions became clear a few days ago, you have to think that will change in the coming days.

Wright is objectively more knowledgable than most television personalities, so fans in Brooklyn shouldn’t exactly scoff at his projection. However, he’s still just as biased (if not more) as any individual in his field and he’s been against Harden to the Nets from the jump, so something definitely seems fishy here.

We can’t figure out his angle — it probably has something to do with LeBron — but it makes zero sense as to why he ranked Brooklyn fourth in this segment. After all, Harden has literally gone out of his way to leak it to the media that the Nets are the only team he wants to play for.

Did we miss something?

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