James Harden — one of the greatest shooting guards in the history of basketball — is on his fourth team since 2021.
He is now a Los Angeles Clipper after being a Philadelphia 76er, after being a Brooklyn Net, after being a Houston Rocket, after being an Oklahoma City Thunder — the team that drafted, and then traded him. James Harden frustrates people. That frustration is misguided.
Two things happened between Monday night and Tuesday morning, if you’re a sports fan. You were either up late enough on Monday night to see the news of the trade or you woke up on Tuesday wondering how such a massive deal happened in the middle of the night.
“The 76ers sent Harden, P.J. Tucker, and Filip Petrusev to the Clippers for Marcus Morris, Robert Covington, Nic Batum, KJ Martin, a 2028 unprotected first-round pick, two second-round picks, a 2029 pick swap and an additional first-round pick from the Oklahoma City Thunder, sources told ESPN,” is how the report reads from Adrian Wojnarowski.
Harden got his way. He doesn’t have to deal with Daryl Morey anymore and he gets to go back home to California and play for the team he was willing to lose money to suit up for. If we’re being honest, both teams won this trade. The Sixers got rid of a dude they didn’t want anymore because he didn’t want to be there and the Clippers got a 10-time All-Star to pair with Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and Russell Westbrook — and they didn’t have to give up Terance Mann.
But despite all that, some of you are reading this and still find Harden to be maddening.
I get it, trust me, I do.
But…
Why are you so frustrated?
The answer is jealousy.
We’re watching Harden do what we all wish we could do, maneuver his way out of a job he wanted after realizing he doesn’t like it, and then figure out how to get another job at the place he now desires while keeping the same salary and job title.
Oh, you’re not jealous? Cool. Then your frustration is misdirected.
James Harden doesn’t trade himself. James Harden doesn’t sign himself. James Harden doesn’t give James Harden what he wants. The people you should be frustrated at are the ones who have been involved — the employees of the Clippers, Sixers, Nets and Rockets that allowed this to happen.
Over the last few years, Harden has proven who he is — a player with a historic resume who has a certain style that most basketball fans find annoying. He’s very good in the regular season, but doesn’t show up when it matters in the playoffs.
However, the most important thing we’ve learned about Harden is that he’s willing to do whatever it takes to get whatever he wants. He’ll gain weight. He won’t show up to things. He’ll publicly call an executive a liar. That man will do what needs to be done in the name of his happiness and freedom.
We should sort of be envious of Harden in some weird and warped way.
According to ESPN, Harden now joins Moses Malone, Bob McAdoo and Westbrook as former MVPs who have been traded the most in league history. Players can’t trade players, teams do. So, don’t be mad at James Harden for getting his way all the time. Be mad at the people who give James Harden his way all the time. If you allow a bully to bully you, they’re gonna keep bullying you. These NBA GMs, team presidents and owners keep letting James Harden take their lunch money.
Let them starve a little. They can afford it.