Rumor: Raptors and Celtics the two favorites for James Harden

[Tr1boy]

John Granato
@johngranato

3h
An impeccable source says the Raptors and the Celtics are the favorites right now for James Harden. It’d be a package for Pascal Siakam and more or Jaylen Brown and more.

take this rumor with a grain  of salt.   Because I have no idea who John Granato is

In theory it is plausible.  Raptors package would likely include Siakam,  Powell  and Rockets send back Harden and Tucker

For the Celtics it would have to include Brown, Smart for Harden and a filler like Kenyon Martin Jr

This season could be the end of the road for Lowry as a Raptor, and instead of trading him away for a few 1sts at the deadline,  the Raptors could try to surround him with the best talent possible to try to win another one.   They did it once already with Leonard

The Celtics on the other hand are unlikely involved.    Though a Tatum,  Harden could be a terrifying offensive duo.   Not even including Walker in the picture

Celtics would need to trust that Langford, Nemsmith can makeup some of the things Brown, Smart provided.  Overall the team D suffers but is made up with potent offense

[Roy H.]

Kemba and Harden would be a bad fit together.

[dannyboy35]

 I think that’s a joke source. Like a purposefully funny thing.

[SparzWizard]

We need stable offense with this team. What good would having a great defense do if you can't put points in the bucket tho

[pearljammer10]

Kemba and Harden would be a bad fit together.

Oye. Can you imagine. I would not like that.

Regardless of how much I dislike Harden, Smart and Harden would be a nice backcourt complimentary duo.

[Tr1boy]

I think that’s a joke source. Like a purposefully funny thing.

I mean... Siakam for Harden could be very real

The Raptors are in limbo right now. Masai hasn't decided on an extension.  Lowry didn't sign an extension last season. 

I could see them go for it again with Harden (instead of Leonard) this time.   Probably lower chance to succeed but better than what they have now (not good enough, even regressed with losing Gasol, Ibaka)

If things don't workout,  trade Harden after this season is over,  rebuild the team

[Who]

It would be exciting to have a big change on this team.

Things are a tad stale.

It doesn't necessarily need a big change to get things good again but it would fun to have that instant change.

[Darth_Yoda]

No chance Jaylen is traded for Harden. Zero.

Smart, kemba sure.

Smart, Kemba, Theis for Harden, Wood.

[Neurotic Guy]

No chance Jaylen is traded for Harden. Zero.

Smart, kemba sure.

Smart, Kemba, Theis for Harden, Wood.

Not sure how it would pan out but  Harden, Brown, and Tatum would be exciting.  Not sure why Houston does but a non-Brown trade for Harden and Wood sounds good to me. 

[PAOBoston]

No chance Jaylen is traded for Harden. Zero.

Smart, kemba sure.

Smart, Kemba, Theis for Harden, Wood.

Houston has John Wall at guard and just signed Wood. Unlikely Kemba would be involved. I’m pro trading for Harden but I think deal would need to include some depth guys from Houston too like Tucker and/or House.

[Birdman]

Never heard of this guy so I doubt it

[okpat]

Granato is a long time radio sports talk host in Houston

[moiso]

No chance Jaylen is traded for Harden. Zero.

Smart, kemba sure.

Smart, Kemba, Theis for Harden, Wood.

Not sure how it would pan out but  Harden, Brown, and Tatum would be exciting.  Not sure why Houston does but a non-Brown trade for Harden and Wood sounds good to me.

I don't know.  I can see how it might be torturous for Brown and Tatum to have to play with Harden.  It would seem disrespectful to do that to them.  These guys are trying to take the next step in their careers and Harden is someone who would hinder that, not help facilitate that.

[Birdman]

Granato is a long time radio sports talk host in Houston

Well he may know something

[jambr380]

No chance Jaylen is traded for Harden. Zero.

Smart, kemba sure.

Smart, Kemba, Theis for Harden, Wood.

Not sure how it would pan out but  Harden, Brown, and Tatum would be exciting.  Not sure why Houston does but a non-Brown trade for Harden and Wood sounds good to me.

I can see HOU being very interested in Smart as a guard mate to Wall. Kemba would need to go to a 3rd team, like CHI, where they send HOU Lavine and WCJ.

Not buying the source and highly doubt that we could get Harden w/o including Brown, but it would be possible if another team was willing to give up major asset(s) for Kemba. I mean, on the surface, Kemba, Smart, and picks is a lot to give up; it's just that people are so down on Kemba's knee right now that the timing might not work out...and that's fine with me. I love Kemba and am happy to have his star power on the Cs.