James Harden is now a Cleveland Cavalier, and we’re all still collectively scratching our heads in bewilderment. Harden, a perennial All-Star, and potentially the best shooting guard of his generation, is now going to play for his sixth team.
It’s not too often that superstar players’ careers end up being this nomadic while they still possess superstar talent. “The Beard” is averaging his highest points per game since the 2019-20 season. That made it even more perturbing to hear of reports that Harden wanted out of Los Angeles.
Why the James Harden trade to the Cleveland Cavaliers is a head-scratcher
I certainly thought that since Harden was playing for a hometown team, he was experiencing the best of both worlds somewhat. He was playing basketball professionally and for a home team at that. For a guy who seemingly hasn’t been totally fulfilled at any of his stops, it’s pretty tough to put a finger on where his priorities lie.
For his most recent former team, the L.A. Clippers, they hold the best record in the NBA since Christmas Day. A team that was really searching for its identity earlier this season seemed to find it. Elite play from Kawhi Leonard and Harden really provided that impetus.
So, if the team was excelling, why the hell would you be looking to leave? Although Harden denies requesting this trade, he also seems all-in on board with it. All indications point to an upcoming contract extension. The future Hall of Famer’s track record has shown that he very seldom leaves money on the table. I’m not suggesting that he should, but as he enters his career twilight, people will surmise that money was more important to him than winning championships. This is compounded by the fact that in games that have had the most consequence, Harden has come up small on more than a couple of occasions.
James Harden’s nomadic history
It’s also fair to mention that with a reputation like this that precedes Harden, it would behoove him to try to change the narrative around this trade request on this occasion. Quite swiftly, Harden made it clear that this wasn’t his decision. However, more privileged journalists in the field than I have different opinions. They believe that Harden wasn’t going to get a contract extension with the Clippers, and so Harden decided to reevaluate his time with the team. Ultimately, this may all be semantics. It doesn’t do much to change the narrative around his career.
Harden will be remembered as one of the most dynamic offensive talents who ever graced an NBA court. He is a former league MVP who is also a three-time NBA scoring champion. He won those three titles in consecutive years. The Cavaliers’ newest star also possesses probably one of the top 10 best ball-handling abilities ever. He has revolutionized the ability to get to the cup and draw fouls, for that matter.
A checkered playoff past
Unfortunately, Harden may never be associated with wanting to win badly enough. It might be unfair to categorize him in that way, from the standpoint that while he was a 76er, he took pay cuts. But on the same token, he infamously came up short in two consecutive years with them. During the 2022 playoffs, in which the Clippers faced the Miami Heat, Harden only took two shots during the second half of a series-deciding game six. The following year, in a game seven versus the Boston Celtics, it must’ve been déjà vu. He scored nine points in that loss. Again, this is when your team depends on you the most. His time in Houston exhibited some of those same ills prior, too.
I don’t know if Harden will ever address what led to those performances. What was on his mind? I think that’s the number one topic people want some intel on once his career is over and done with. But as we view this latest trade of Harden, conventional wisdom tells me to expect much of the same.
We’ll be in for some exciting basketball and some agonizing defeats when the lights shine the brightest. And well, if you’re Harden, I guess that’ll suffice. What’s it that Rob49 said? “You tryna cry in a Nissan, or a ‘Rari?” I think we all know Harden’s answer.