Trade factor #3 – Does Harden fit with Damian Lillard?
If the Blazers thought they could get a deal done without giving away too much, and it fits into the CBA’s guidelines, the biggest question would be the fit with Harden and Damian Lillard.
Firstly, let’s take a step back when thinking about the Rockets’ isolation heavy offense. Not only is Daryl Morey gone from the Rockets, but Mike D’Antoni is also gone.
Their former general manager and coach were a huge reason for the style of play the Rockets ran with.
Morey wanted three-pointers and layups only, and built the Rockets roster that way. D’Antoni put the ball in Harden’s hands every time down the floor.
Both of these guys are gone from Houston, and we don’t know how the Rockets would have looked without one of the most successful coach / GM pairings in recent memory.
Harden probably realizes the clock is ticking on his time as an All-NBA 1st team player. He is one of the game’s greatest scorers, but without a ring or finals appearance to his name, he may feel incomplete.
I think Harden would be willing to play off-ball alongside a guy like Lillard. These are professional basketball players who ultimately want to win NBA titles. Lillard doesn’t play off-ball a lot, but we know he is one of the deadliest volume shooters in NBA History.
I don’t think there should be any doubt that these two would try to make it work. My only reservation would be how these two would age together as offensive threats. But these concerns are the same ones that are there with McCollum and Dame.
There would be an upgrade with Harden’s defense, rebounding, and passing too. Though he isn’t a great defender, and makes more lapses as a team defender than McCollum, he is better as a man defender. He is also a brilliant passer in the pick and roll and would form a great tandem with Jusuf Nurkic.
I’m not sure what it would take to get Harden in trade, but it would almost certainly take McCollum and a couple of other assets. Olshey and co will be weighing up the pros and cons of making this deal. Maybe it doesn’t happen, but I think this team could make it work if it does.
In the ultimate pursuit of a championship, I would go all-in on a Harden – Lillard tandem.