The Miami Heat should be nearing the top of the James Harden Sweepstakes leaderboard.
The Miami Heat are knee-deep in the throws of the James Harden scenario, whether they like it or not. With a reported interest in the situation and with their assumed future target, Giannis Antetokounmpo, off the board, this has to at least increase their urgency to explore.
At least a tiny little bit at the very minimum, right? Well, they might have just been thrust into a more involved position anyway and without them having to do anything.
Reporting on the topic from a different vantage, Sam Amick of The Athletic (subscription required) has clarified some things from one of the other contenders in the sweepstakes to land Harden. On top of saying that the new Philly head coach, Doc Rivers, wants to see how both Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons look together in the new system, he also said that Philly thinks the asking price is too high for Harden.
The Miami Heat’s chances to land Harden may have just increased… if they want him.
One little interesting tidbit there really quickly. Coming from the team that employs the guy that made trades like it was drinking water in Daryl Morey, that’s a strange nugget from them.
In any situation, their public-ish acknowledgment of a lessening interest puts the light squarely on the other teams vying for Harden’s services. For all it’s worth, the top two teams right now seem to be the Brooklyn Nets and our Miami Heat.
While the Brooklyn Nets are his preferred destination, reportedly, this admission or line that was drawn by Philadelphia, as far as how high they’ll go to get him, really thrusts the rest of the teams that are interested to the front of the line and simultaneously into an even more interesting spot.
If it means anything, I am still indifferent on landing Harden, as I don’t know if he puts Miami over the top while I know the price to get him will be inordinate. Either way it goes though, the Miami Heat now share the driver’s seat in the situation with Brooklyn.
Who’ll move first? Will anyone at all?