Minnesota Timberwolves: 3 James Harden trades involving the Wolves

3 James Harden trades with the Minnesota Timberwolves: Nets and Hornets

For starters, the idea that Russell Westbrook would also leave Houston is not unfounded, as Shams Charania reported that the Hornets have expressed interest in trading for Russell Westbrook.

While the possibility of Harden moving on looms above the Rockets organization, the possiblity of both Harden and Westbrook leaving would likely trigger a full-on rebuild. With that said, this trade idea has potential to help Houston begin their rebuild while also helping the other three teams involved.

For the Timberwolves, this trade has pros and cons. Sacrificing the No. 1 pick along with Culver, Johnson, Culver, and Layman may prove to be a lot. Although Rozier and LeVert are outstanding players, the Wolves are already a guard-heavy team, and the price tag of this trade may be a lot to trade for excessive guards.

However, a backcourt rotation of D’Angelo Russell, Terry Rozier, and Caris LeVert would be deadly for any opposing team to face for 48 minutes.

For Charlotte, this trade is definitely a win. The team moves off of Batum’s massive contract, maintains PJ Washington, maintains the No. 3 pick in this year’s draft, and brings in Russell Westbrook, who is arguably an upgrade over Terry Rozier.

Westbrook would be a good fit next to Devonte’ Graham due to Graham’s ability to spread the floor and play off the ball. Acquiring Westbrook while maintaining their best young prospects would give the Hornets a clear pathway forward.

The Nets get James Harden while hanging onto Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. Enough said. This trade is a win for them.

For the Rockets, this trade ultimately represents a step towards a rebuild that could pay off in a big way.

By taking on the expiring contracts of Johnson and Batum, the Rockets would open up $43 million in cap space for the following year. This is significant, because next year’s free agent class includes the likes of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, Victor Oladipo and Jrue Holiday among many more top-notch players.

On top of the draft picks they would acquire in this trade, which would include the number one pick in this year’s draft, the Rockets would bring in a haul of solid players like Dinwiddie and DeAndre Jordan to pair with any high-level free agents they may bring in during next year’s free agency.

While this may not be a glamorous-looking trade for the Rockets, this is a great path forward for a quick rebuild in order to get the franchise back to contention as quick as possible if Westbrook and Harden leave.

In general, a James Harden trade would be difficult to pull off, and preferred destinations for a trade limits the options of teams attempting to trade players.

However, including an additional team as a trade partner can ease the burden on teams attempting to make big deals, and Minnesota would be a great third-party trade partner, especially for a James Harden trade to either Philadelphia or Brooklyn.