The Rockets need to net as many assets as they can for James Harden, and if the Timberwolves are able to trade for him while not giving up either of their two existing stars, they should absolutely pull the trigger.
The main team involved in the rumors surrounding Harden is the Brooklyn Nets, but Minnesota has the facilities to match any possible trade by Brooklyn due to their immense young talent – and the Rockets don’t have any incentive to meet Harden’s demands to trade him to the Nets.
Because of that, the Timberwolves could be the best possible suitor for James Harden, especially if he is intrigued by the prospect of playing alongside someone who could possibly be the best offensive big in the league in Towns.
The Rockets traded Russell Westbrook for John Wall and a future pick, and while it is unlikely that they will be able to make up for the assets lost in the original Westbrook-Paul trade, the team could still pile up assets afforded by any team that wants to acquire Harden – and the Timberwolves could be exactly that.
James Harden would shoot the Timberwolves win projection from late-lottery to what could likely be a middle-seed in the Western Conference, something just below the Lakers and Clippers but above the other teams fighting for a playoff berth – think of the Mavericks situation in 2019-20 – and that might be worth risking Harden walking away from the team in the 2022 offseason.