3 low-energy James Harden plays that show relationship with Nets is in question

The 2022 NBA trade deadline is less than 48 hours away and as of right now, James Harden is still with the Brooklyn Nets. It started when Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer reported that Harden is open to exploring options outside of Brooklyn this summer and on Friday, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported that the Nets and Sixers were going to engage in trade talks.

Harden’s sat out for the past three games with left hamstring tightness. He hasn’t spoken with the media, although Steve Nash said on Monday that Brooklyn isn’t going to trade the 10-time All-Star.

In Harden’s most recent game with the Nets, he finished with 12 assists, seven rebounds, six turnovers, and four points (2-of-11). That outing was against the Kings, the 13th place team in the West.

He was disinterested and appeared to be checked out. The game took place eight days after Harden brushed Fischer’s reports to the side. However, if a Harden-Sixers trade were to happen over the next day and a half, it wouldn’t be a surprise at this point.

Let’s take a look back at Harden’s performance against Sacramento on Feb. 2.

3 low-energy James Harden plays from his most recent Brooklyn Nets game.

Erik Slater broke down the Nets-Kings game film and analyzed Harden’s role in the loss.

Brooklyn had a 13-12 lead in the first quarter and Sacramento had the ball. Harden and Kessler Edwards were at the top of the key ready to take on their assignments on defense, or should we say that Edwards was ready.

Barnes (Edwards’ man) drove to the basket and Tyrese Haliburton (Harden’s man) dropped down into the corner. Harden didn’t attempt to follow him and Barnes passed the ball to a wide-open Haliburton, who knocked down the 3-point shot to put the Kings up by two.

Less than a minute later, a similar scenario happened as Harden left Maurice Harkless open in the opposite corner. Instead of trying to defend him, Harden took a step in his direction and watched as Sacramento knocked down another three.

Later on in the third quarter when Brooklyn held the 77-70 advantage, Harden forced a pass inside to James Johnson. The pass was intercepted by the Kings, who then pushed the ball ahead in transition for a chance at a layup underneath.

That turned into a pass back out to the perimeter as every Nets player on the floor was matched up in transition, except Harden. He left Barnes open on the wing, who drove into the lane and passed the ball to Damian Jones. Sacramento’s center went up with the ball underneath and in the process of making the shot, he was fouled by Kyrie Irving.

Early on in the fourth quarter, Brooklyn was down 88-86. Harden was driving towards the basket and attempted a pass across the lane to Cam Thomas. Instead, the pass ended up in the hands of Haliburton. He drove down the court and passed the ball off to Buddy Hield, who knocked down a 3-pointer to push the Kings’ lead to five.

Ultimately, the Nets lost, 112-101. It’s one thing to have an off night but Harden’s lackluster effort was inexcusable, as was Irving’s 14 points (5-of-15) and four turnovers.

Since Harden was out against the Celtics, will last Wednesday be remembered as the final time that the guard suited up for Brooklyn? If so, it’ll be a poor ending to a bittersweet story.

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