Houston Rockets debate: Should trading James Harden be on the table?

With the Houston Rockets falling short again, the Space City Scoop site experts each take a side on whether or not James Harden should be shopped.

It’s hard to find a single player that’s had as big an impact on their team in recent years as James Harden. Guys like Tim Duncan in San Antonio and Dirk Nowitzki in Dallas stand out, and he’s following a similar path with his leadership on the Houston Rockets. One thing those guys have that James doesn’t, however, is playoff success in the form of rings.

Of course, basketball is a team sport, and we can’t focus the sole blame of playoff failures on one man. James Harden is coming off a playoffs in which he averaged 29.6 points, 7.7 assists, and 5.6 rebounds per game. While he’s had his poor showings in crucial moments over the years, his presence alone has allowed for the Rockets to now possess the longest active playoff streak in the NBA with eight.

Coming off their latest playoff disappointment, the Houston Rockets now have limited options when it comes to improving the team this offseason. Their two superstars have massive contracts, many draft assets were sent away for Russell Westbrook, and their salary cap situation isn’t ideal.

The bottom line is the Rockets will likely have to run it back with roughly the same team that was bounced in five games unless they make some significant trades next season. With so many Western Conference teams bound to improve, making the NBA Finals with the same team seems like a tall task.

With that said, should anyone on the roster be untouchable given the team’s current situation? Myself and my site co-expert Anthony Duckett each take a side on one burning question: Should James Harden be put on the trade market?

Next: The Case for Trading