Is the end near for the James Harden-Brooklyn Nets era? It’s starting to look more like it. The 10-time All-Star will be out on Tuesday night against the Celtics with left hamstring tightness for the third-straight game. However, Patty Mills said Harden appeared to be his usual self during Tuesday morning’s shootaround.
If Harden were to be traded by Thursday’s 3 p.m. ET deadline, that would mean that he’s played his last game for the Nets. His final stat line would be 12 assists, seven rebounds, six turnovers, and four points (2-of-11) in a 112-101 loss to the Kings.
During Brooklyn’s recent five-game road trip, Harden was out for one game with a right hand strain and two more games with left hamstring tightness.
However, is his injury telling the whole story?
Patty Mills said James Harden went through shootaround and looked like himself this morning. Harden is still listed as questionable with hamstring tightness for Celtics game tonight.
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) February 8, 2022
Did Patty Mills hint at a James Harden-Brooklyn Nets trade?
According to Mills, Harden “looked like himself” at the Nets’ shootaround this morning. Afterwards, Harden went straight from the court to the weight room to lift.
The Nets had a walkthrough version of shootaround today, but Patty Mills said James Harden (left hamstring tightness) looked like himself. Harden walked straight from the court to the weight room and is lifting right now.
— Kristian Winfield (@Krisplashed) February 8, 2022
It’s not hard to believe that Harden’s going through a bout with his hamstring given his recent injury history but Mills’ comments made it seem as if Harden would be able to play. Or, at least, be a game-time decision.
There’s been numerous rumors from an array of sources claiming that Harden is going to be traded to the Sixers, although none of them have lined up (yet). The most unbelievable one of them all has been that Brooklyn and Philadelphia are going to do a Harden-Ben Simmons swap.
Those rumors are unlikely but Harden making the move to the City of Brotherly Love isn’t as far out as it initially seemed. On Jan. 25, Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer released a piece detailing the reasons why Harden would be open to leaving the Nets this summer.
Harden didn’t give any traction to the Sixers’ reports at first but his attitude and body language over the past two weeks hasn’t been encouraging.
On Sunday, Steve Nash denied that Brooklyn was going to trade the 32-year-old. His words weren’t encouraging either. If the guard would’ve played in tonight’s game, the storyline would be different.
Ultimately, if Harden truly no longer wants to be with the Nets, then it’d be in his best interest to be traded. However, Kevin Durant is expected to return after the All-Star break. Brooklyn’s 2-9 in his absence and before he went down, Durant was having an MVP-caliber season.
Harden wanting out of Brooklyn after 13 months feels premature but if Joe Tsai/Sean Marks can get Simmons along with a combination of Seth Curry, Tyrese Maxey, and Matisse Thybulle, the Nets might go for it.
If that happens, keep Mar. 10 circled on your calendar. That level of Thursday night entertainment will be one for the ages.
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