It’s becoming more rare to see an NBA star spend his whole career on one team. While it’s weird trying to envision Stephen Curry in a non-Warriors jersey, we might have to find out how some other superstars look in new colors.
The thirst for a winning team has spread around the league. After all, championship rings are more remarkable than countless individual accolades. So, if you fail to build a contender around your star player, he might eventually want to leave your franchise. In some other cases, it’s the team that actually wants to shake things up.
There’s been plenty of speculation around some of the following names, while others might come as a surprise. Either way, these players could be wearing different jerseys in the near future.
The next wave of NBA stars to get traded.
1. James Harden
The former MVP isn’t hiding his desire to leave the Philadelphia 76ers. Harden recently used an Adidas media event in China to call team president Daryl Morey a liar. That happened two days after the Sixers ended trade discussions involving their star guard with the Los Angeles Clippers, according to reports.
Harden exercised the player-option in his contract during free-agency, reportedly expecting to be traded away from Philadelphia. The absence of a large long-term contract offer from the 76ers is said to be the main reason for him to want a change of scenario.
Even if the Clippers, his reported preferred destination, aren’t able to offer a good enough package to Philly, it’s unlikely that Harden plays another game there. After all, he said himself how he was “never going to be a part of an organization” that Morey is a part of, right after calling the general manager a liar – even after years of a close relationship between them.
The Beard might not be the elite scorer he once was, but still one of the league’s best playmakers, coming from a season in which he led the NBA in assists. There’s no doubt he would be a great addition to a lot of contending teams looking for an All-Star level point guard.
Potential destinations: LA Clippers, Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves