The case against a James Harden trade to the Bucks
On paper, bringing a superstar talent to the Bucks sounds like an idea that everyone can get behind. However, with James Harden, the situation is far complex than it might typically be.
The first order of business is trying to even piece together a package for Harden that would gauge the Houston Rockets’ interest. Milwaukee’s stockpile of assets is left depleted after the Jrue Holiday trade, and ESPN’s Tim MacMahon reported that the Rockets are not going to take any discounts when it comes time to deal Harden:
"“The Rockets are demanding an especially steep return for Harden, a perennial MVP candidate who has led the NBA in scoring the past three seasons: a proven, young star as a centerpiece along with a massive picks package, according to sources.”"
Milwaukee simply does not have such an assortment of pieces to include in a package. A deal involving Khris Middleton, Donte DiVincenzo, and Brook Lopez could be enticing, but even then, the team’s limited share of draft capital does not come close to meeting Houston’s hefty demands.
Furthermore, it remains a significant question mark whether Antetokounmpo and Harden could put their differences behind them and co-exist. It is relatively easy to say that they could in order to pursue a championship, as I did just moments ago. But that could be wishful thinking, given their history. Harden’s reported interest in joining the Bucks signals that he might be willing, but that predicament remains the elephant in the room.
Say Harden and Antetokounmpo let bygones be bygones, and they join forces, one must question how the two will mesh together on the court as well. Harden’s success depends heavily on his ball-dominant style of play, which poses concern in Mike Budenholzer’s offensive system and alongside another superstar in Antetokounmpo. That is not to say the pair could not figure things out, but Harden has a well-documented history of not meshing with other star players such as Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul.
There is no shortage of “if” scenarios for making a trade for James Harden. Between his rift with Antetokounmpo, Houston’s sky-high asking price, and Harden’s style of play, there are plenty of things for the Milwaukee Bucks to consider here.