NBA Trades: Should the Brooklyn Nets trade James Harden?

PHOENIX, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 01: James Harden #13 of the Brooklyn Nets handles the ball during the first half of the NBA game at Footprint Center on February 01, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona, NBA Trades: Should the Brooklyn Nets trade James Harden?, NBA Trades. 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)

The Brooklyn Nets have lost six games in a row and are only 1.5 games away from being stuck in the play-in. Kevin Durant being out has really hurt them, which most people would have expected.

But things are getting bad.

James Harden and Kyrie Irving only played in four of the six losses, but that still means they went 0-4 in the games they played. And the teams they’ve been losing to haven’t all been elite, either.

The Nets have been struggling and James Harden deserves a lot of the blame

Sure, three of the four teams were the Denver Nuggets, Golden State, Warriors, and Phoenix Suns. But the other three were the Minnesota Timberwolves, Los Angeles Lakers, and Sacramento Kings.

Yes, they lost to the Kings.

The worst part about that game, in particular? Harden and Irving both played. Harden dropped four points. Four points.

Four.

Over the last six games, Irving has been playing just fine. Would it help if he could play in home games? Sure. But his numbers look fine when he has been on the court. The same cannot be said for Harden.

NBA Trades: Should the Brooklyn Nets trade James Harden?

James Harden is averaging 18.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 11.5 assists in the last four games he’s played. That all sounds fine, but he’s also shooting 34.3 percent from the field and 25.0 percent from deep.

Add in the recent NBA rumors that he could already be planning his exit from Brooklyn in favor of the Philadelphia 76ers, and some serious questions should be asked.

Should the Brooklyn Nets consider trading James Harden away?

Well first, let’s ask this question. Would the Nets actually consider trading Harden this year? Of course not. There’s no way they’d actually do it. But why not?

Sure, the big three of Harden, Irving, and Durant have been great when they share the court, but they never get to play together. And now, if Harden is beginning to check out, then a trade could be in order.

What they would get back is the main issue, in that case, but Brooklyn shouldn’t have to put up with a player mentally checking out halfway through the season. They will, but they shouldn’t.

So, although Harden would never get traded, maybe it’s time for the Nets to look in the mirror, because something is seriously wrong in Brooklyn right now.