NBA Rumors: Is James Harden truly open to test free agency this summer?
Last season, when James Harden was doing his best to find a way out of the Houston Rockets organization, it was the Brooklyn Nets that stepped up to the plate to acquire the perennial all-star.
The hope was that by acquiring Harden, the Nets would be making a move that would result in an NBA Championship. However, that didn’t exactly happen as the Nets bowed out in seven games at the hands of the eventual champion Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Brooklyn was far from 100 percent in that series and the narrative was heading into this season that the Nets would be able to be that overwhelming team that many expected them to be last season in the playoffs.
Then, Kyrie Irving became ineligible to play in home games and Kevin Durant has been sidelined with a knee injury.
Heading into the thick of the playoff push, after a season in which the Nets have been far from overwhelming, there has to be some second-guessing all around. Including some of the players.
And, according to a recent report, Harden is, at the very least, thinking about possibly testing free agency this offseason.
"[via Bleacher Report]As the NBA calendar approaches the Feb. 10 trade deadline, word has circulated around the league about James Harden’s increased interest in testing the open market this summer."
Harden is in the final year of his contract with the Nets and declined to sign an extension last offseason. It was somewhat curious at the time but was downplayed by Harden and the Nets. Perhaps there was something more to it.
Of course, a lot can change between now and free agency. Heck, the Nets could win a championship and it would be highly unlikely to see Harden walk away from that.
However, would it actually be that surprising if Harden wanted to test free agency in his prime one more time before being locked up in a long-term deal? Especially if we see the Nets falter early in the postseason?
It’s not that far-fetched of a possibility and certainly something that should be kept an eye on over the next couple of months.