Sir Charles in Charge
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NBA: Top 5 moves that raised teams’ title ceilings

By Preston Klaus

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MARCH 30: Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns controls the ball pressured by Bogdan Bogdanovic #13 of the Atlanta Hawks during the first half of the NBA game at Phoenix Suns Arena on March 30, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MARCH 30: Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns controls the ball pressured by Bogdan Bogdanovic #13 of the Atlanta Hawks during the first half of the NBA game at Phoenix Suns Arena on March 30, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Brooklyn Nets
Brooklyn Nets James Harden (Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports) /

No. 3: James Harden traded midseason to the Brooklyn Nets

In any other year, this move would probably be No. 1. It is extremely rare to trade for a top 10 player in the NBA in his prime at any point, but especially midseason. Unfortunately for the Nets, they couldn’t squeak past the Bucks in their quest to the Finals so Harden falls at No. 3.

The impact of James Harden on paper isn’t crucial for Brooklyn. Without them, they are still title contenders and may even have a more complete team. However, James Harden truly optimizes this Brooklyn offense.

Harden is the primary ball-handler and facilitator on this team, despite being a three-time scoring champion. Teams have to give him respect as a scorer or else he will drop 41 points as he did in Game 3 vs. the Celtics. If you let him facilitate, he will drop 18 assists, and let fellow superstars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving take over, as he did in the very next game.

Unfortunately, we were unable to see the full capabilities of this Nets team in the postseason because of James Harden’s strained hamstring (and Kyrie’s ankle). Harden missed 21 of the last 24 games due to his injury and was sidelined again in Game 1 for all but 43 seconds. If we did, he probably ranks higher on this list.

The reason Harden makes this list is because of his heroics in that series. Even with a grade two hamstring injury that usually requires months of rehab and intense therapy, Harden was still able to play 46 minutes per game 10 days later in Game 5 to rally them to a win. Then, in Game 7, the Nets were inches away from making it to the Conference Finals.

The Nets had the best offensive rating in NBA history this season, according to StatMuse, with Harden playing in around half of their games (118.3). In the games with Harden, it climbs to an even more absurd 122.8. Yes, you read that right. Harden raises the ceiling of an already talented offensive team to the best one, by far, in history.

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