Cons of Nets’ James Harden Trade
Every draft pick the Nets had to their name is gone.
Harden just chased his way out of Houston, alienating every teammate along the way in a COVID-related crime spree gone haywire.
Kyrie Irving isn’t playing right now and only does so when he so chooses.
I think that’s it? Fairly major cons.
Oh, and all three players in the headline-grabbing trio could theoretically leave en masse after next season.
Reminder:
— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) January 13, 2021
James Harden AND Kevin Durant AND Kyrie Irving have player options on the final year of their contracts, which means all 3 players can become unrestricted free agents after next season.
This seems important considering the Nets traded away all their first-round picks
This whole shebang is in place for a minimum of two years, but also…players have been empowered. Two years could be it. At which point, there will be nothing left under the Barclays roof except buffalo wings.
Mortgaging the future to win now is a trendy move, but when there’s a solid chance that “now” can all join hands in 1.5 years and split town with their overflowing cash-filled suitcases, that’s a worrisome element.
And…without Jarrett Allen…who plays defense on this team? Hand the keys to Bruce Brown and tell him to guard the 5?
The last time people told Brooklyn their future was dead on arrival, they pieced together a battling young core, then parlayed that enthusiasm into a Steve Nash-led megalith — and, by the way, if this team falls short of its Finals goal, as is usually the case in Year 1 of a roster implosion, Nash is a clear sacrificial lamb.
Now, players have become almost power-mad, with Irving’s as-yet-unjustified absence, which didn’t come with an excuse note, standing in as the latest example of unchecked whimsy. Two of the three members of this trio have been extremely problematic in recent stops, and there’s no backup for either member.
It’s worth a try, for sure. But the blowout potential is immense, and anyone who tells you differently has been blinded by Bleacher Report highlight packages.
Two years to make it work. Here goes nothing, and also here goes everything. And all this for a fan-less season, huh?
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