Houston Rockets: The 5 best trades for James Harden in the Eastern Conference

4. Brooklyn Nets

It became apparent that James Harden would make a horrible general manager when the first place he asked to be traded was the Brooklyn Nets. It’s not that the Nets don’t have anything of value but that the movable pieces they have would be like trading nine new Toyota Camrys for a single used Ferrari, sure the total price might be similar but you can only drive one car at a time.

In this analogy, Harden is the Ferrari and the nine Camrys are Caris LeVert, Spencer Dinwiddie, Jarrett Allen, Joe Harris, Landry Shamet, and all of the picks they’ll get in return. What makes it even more difficult is that the Nets also have Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving one of whom the Rockets would actually want in return.

Trade negotiations between the two probably won’t go anywhere because the only thing the Nets have that the Rockets really want they won’t trade. However, the Nets do have the ability to flip some of their assets into something that might interest the Rockets and they have more draft picks than the Bucks, which is why they rank fourth and not fifth.

Would the Nets flip a bunch of assets to land a rising young star that they could then use to land Harden? The deal might be tough but would Denver improve their title chances this season to let Michael Porter Jr go?

What about calling up the Atlanta Hawks on John Collins? Or the Chicago Bulls on Wendell Carter? Or the Sacramento Kings about Marvin Bagley? The chances of the Nets being able to pry one of these teams’ young prospects is slim but when it can secure your franchise a title then it’s worth it to go the extra mile.

There is also the possibility that the Nets cave and decide that it’s worth it to include Kyrie Irving in a package to secure Harden. That remains their trump card if they’re willing to play it.

Next: Team number 3