Boston Celtics and Conference Rivals Featured in James Harden Trade Rumors

James Harden could be be joining the Boston Celtics.

Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, James Harden has opted into his $35.6 option for next season and is expected to be traded by the Philadelphia 76ers. The top-rumored trade destinations include the Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, New York Knicks, and Boston Celtics.

For the 2022-2023 season, Harden averaged 21.0 points, 10.7 assists and 6.1 rebounds over 58 games.

Harden’s hypothetical move to New York or Miami would have an evident impact on the Celtics. Boston faced the Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals three times over the past four seasons, and the Knicks also compete in the Atlantic Division.

Though unlikely, the Celtics have a realistic chance to land the 10-time All-Star selectee. As suggested by NBC Sports’ Kurt Helin, a potential package for Harden could include Malcolm Brogdon, Robert Williams III, and other assets.

After Helin’s hypothetical deal, Boston would boast a starting lineup of Harden, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Kristaps Porzingis, and Al Horford. Each of these players have earned an All-Star selection within the past five years.

If Harden were acquired by Boston, however, it may cause issues with team chemistry and depth.

Starting in 2021 with the Houston Rockets, Harden has requested to be traded three times over the past three years. This isn’t a major issue in the short-term, since Boston presumably has the pieces for a championship run next season and Harden’s contract expires in 2024.

In terms of depth, however, the departure of Williams could make Boston’s rotation vulnerable at the center position. Porzingis has a history with injury-proneness, and the 37-year-old Horford is expected to decrease in production.

On paper, Harden joining the Celtics looks solid. In practice, the move may harm the team’s dynamic, which is centered around the provenly-successful pairing of Tatum and Brown.