The Brooklyn Nets won't listen to trade-deadline overtures for All-NBA guard James Harden, a resolve that stems from Harden's repeated insistences to ownership and management that he's committed to staying and winning a championship with the franchise.
Nets owner Joe Tsai and general manager Sean Marks are reassured by Harden's consistent internal stance and the shared public and private belief that the three make the Nets an unstoppable team when playing together.
The expectation is that the Nets will get an ample amount of time to prove that again this season, since they will have to wait until February to have KD back. Unvaccinated players are not allowed to perform at home in New York City.
Sources said that the 76ers have not made a trade offer to the Nets ahead of the Feb. 10 deadline, despite their plans for a potential pursuit of Harden this summer. Sources said that the Nets don't plan to engage any team that might try to lure Harden ahead of his possible free agency this summer.
Harden didn't sign an extension in the preseason, so he decided to make a decision in the summer of 2022. Harden could sign a four-year, $223 million extension with the Nets at the start of free agency if he opts in on his $47.4 million contract for 2022-23. In the last year of the deal, Harden would become the first player to surpass $60 million in a single season.
Harden can opt out of his contract in the 2022-23 season to become a free agent, or the Nets could agree to a sign-and-trade deal where Harden will sign a long-term deal with his new team in 2023. Bobby Marks is a front office insider for the sports network.
The Nets acquired Harden in a four-team trade in January 2021. Harden has 23 points, 10 assists and eight rebound for the Nets. He is a nine-team All-Star and six-time first-team All-NBA player.
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