We have come to a crossroads when it comes to the future of James Harden with the Houston Rockets.
Harden indicated to the Rockets before the start of camp that he would be open to a trade to the Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers or possibly other contenders, according to a report by ESPN's Tim MacMahon and Adrian Wojnarowski, and the Rockets are expanding trade discussions beyond those teams.
Harden is under contract through the 2022-23 season, meaning the Rockets can be patient despite having an unhappy superstar on their roster. But what are their options if they decide to pursue a deal now?
The Rockets will look at the package the New Orleans Pelicans received from the Milwaukee Bucks for Jrue Holiday as a starting point -- three first-round picks, two pick swaps and two starter-level players in Eric Bledsoe and George Hill -- although they'll want even more for their MVP guard.
Let's run through Houston's most likely trade partners in a Harden deal.
Houston Rockets
Harden would rank near the top of any trade value list because of both his consistent MVP-level play and the length of his contract. Any team trading for Harden would have him under contract for the next three seasons, although with annual salaries topping $40 million.
To make the money work, a team would need to send out a minimum of $33 million in salary unless it has cap space.
Off the table: Christian Wood (trade restriction), Sterling Brown (trade restriction), Jae'Sean Tate (trade restriction), DeMarcus Cousins (trade restriction), John Wall (aggregate restriction), Bruno Caboclo (trade restriction) and Gerald Green (trade restriction)
First-round assets and trade exceptions
2021 first-round pick (least favorable of their own, Miami and Oklahoma City)
2022 first-round pick
Trade exceptions: $3.6 million, $2.6 million and $1.7 million
Note: From the Russell Westbrook trade, Houston will send Oklahoma City a 2024 first (top-four protected), the right to swap firsts in 2025 (top-10 protected) and a 2026 first (top-four protected). The Rockets have their own firsts in 2023 and 2027 but are not allowed to trade either pick.
Tradable contracts (2020-21 season)
James Harden: $41.3 million; player option in 2022-23
Eric Gordon: $16.9 million; free agent in 2024 (no salary protection in 2023-24)
P.J. Tucker: $8.0; free agent in 2021
Danuel House Jr.: $3.7 million; free agent in 2022
David Nwaba: $1.8 million; free agent in 2021 (no salary protection in 2020-21 and counts as zero in outgoing salary)
Ben McLemore: $2.3 million; free agent in 2021
Chris Clemons: $1.5 million; team option in 2021-22 (no salary protection in 2020-21)
KJ Martin: $898,000; free agent in 2024 (no salary protection 2021-22, 2022-23 and a team option in 2023-24)
The Harden suitors
The teams listed below check the boxes when it comes to potential trade partners for Houston. They have a combination of young players on controllable contracts, veterans who can win now and valuable draft assets.
Several teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers, LA Clippers and Dallas Mavericks, lack the draft assets likely to be necessary in a Harden trade.
With those guidelines in mind, here are the teams most likely to be able to acquire Harden:
Boston Celtics
Is this the year that head of basketball operations Danny Ainge is willing to push everything to the middle of the table?
If so, Boston could have the most appealing package for Harden with three-first round picks, Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart.
Off the table: Jayson Tatum (poison pill restriction), Tristan Thompson (signing restriction) and Jeff Teague (signing restriction)
First-round assets
Own all future first-round picks (2021-2027)
Tradable contracts (2020-21 season)
Kemba Walker: $34.4 million; player option in 2022-23
Jaylen Brown: $23.4 million; free agent in 2024
Marcus Smart: $13.4 million; free agent in 2022
Daniel Theis: $5.0 million; free agent in 2021
Romeo Langford: $3.6 million; restricted free agent in 2023
Aaron Nesmith: $3.5 million; restricted free agent in 2024
Grant Williams: $2.5 million; restricted free agent in 2023
Robert Williams: $2.0 million; restricted free agent in 2022
Payton Pritchard: $2.0 million; restricted free agent in 2024
Carsen Edwards: $1.5 million; team option in 2022-23
Semi Ojeleye: $1.8 million; team option in 2020-21
Javonte Green: $1.5 million; restricted free agent in 2021 (contract is non-guaranteed)
Brooklyn Nets
How does a Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden big three sound?
The Nets check the boxes when it comes to trade packages: borderline All-Star on a controllable contract (Caris LeVert), a young player on a rookie deal (Jarrett Allen), starting-caliber players (Spencer Dinwiddie and Taurean Prince) and future draft picks. But would they gut their roster for the former MVP?
Off the table: Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Joe Harris (signing restriction), Jeff Green (signing restriction) and Tyler Johnson (signing restriction)
First-round assets
Own all future first-round picks (2021-2027)
Tradable contracts (2020-21 season)
Caris LeVert: $16.2 million; free agent in 2023
Taurean Prince: $12.5 million; free agent in 2022
Spencer Dinwiddie: $11.5 million; player option in 2021-22
DeAndre Jordan: $10.4 million; free agent in 2023
Jarrett Allen: $3.9 million; restricted free agent in 2021
Landry Shamet: $2 million; restricted free agent in 2022
Rodions Kurucs: $1.8 million; team option in 2021-22
Bruce Brown: $1.7 million; restricted free agent in 2021
Nicolas Claxton: $1.5 million; restricted free agent in 2022
Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot: $1.8 million; free agent in 2021 (contract is partially guaranteed)
Chicago Bulls
The Bulls' new front office could be tested (and tempted) when it comes to entertaining a Harden package.
Chicago has the large expiring contract needed in Otto Porter Jr., a borderline All-Star in Zach LaVine and young players in Lauri Markkanen, Coby White, Wendell Carter Jr. and Patrick Williams.
Off the table: Garrett Temple (signing restriction) and Denzel Valentine (signing restriction)
First-round assets
Own all future first-round picks (2021-2027)
Tradable contracts (2020-21 season)
Otto Porter Jr.: $28.5 million; free agent in 2021
Zach LaVine: $19.5 million; free agent in 2022
Thaddeus Young: $13.5 million; free agent in 2022 ($6 million in salary protection in 2021-22)
Tomas Satoransky: $10.0 million; free agent in 2022 ($5 million in salary protection in 2021-22)
Cristiano Felicio: $7.5 million; free agent in 2021
Patrick Williams: $7.1 million; restricted free agent in 2024
Lauri Markkanen: $6.7 million; restricted free agent in 2021
Coby White: $5.6 million: restricted free agent in 2023
Wendell Carter Jr.: $5.5 million; restricted free agent in 2022
Ryan Arcidiacono: $3.0 million; team option in 2021-22
Chandler Hutchison: $2.4 million; restricted free agent in 2022
Luke Kornet: $2.3 million; free agent in 2021
Daniel Gafford: $1.5 million; team option in 2022-23 (contract is non-guaranteed in 2021-22)
Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets have Gary Harris and Will Barton to make the salary work in a Harden trade. The question comes down to the availability of Michael Porter Jr.
The Rockets should consider it a nonstarter if the prized young player is not involved in trade talks.
Off the table: Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Monte Morris (extension restriction), Paul Millsap (signing restriction), Facundo Campazzo (signing restriction), JaMychal Green (signing restriction) and Isaiah Hartenstein (signing restriction)
First-round assets
2021 first-round pick
Trade exceptions: $9.5 million, $3.4 million and $1.9 million
Note: Denver will send Oklahoma City a 2023 lottery-protected first-rounder. The Nuggets are allowed to trade a first starting in 2025 but only if the protection in 2023 is eliminated.
Tradable contracts (2020-21 season)
Gary Harris: $19.6 million; free agent in 2022
Will Barton: $13.7 million; player option in 2021-22
Michael Porter Jr.: $3.6 million; restricted free agent in 2022
Zeke Nnaji: $2.3 million; restricted free agent in 2024
RJ Hampton: $2.2 million; restricted free agent in 2024
Bol Bol: $2.0 million; restricted free agent in 2022
PJ Dozier: $1.8 million; free agent in 2022 ($1.2 million in salary protection in 2020-21 and none in 2021-22)
Vlatko Cancar: $1.5 million; restricted free agent in 2022 (no salary protection in 2021-22)
Golden State Warriors
The Warriors are on the list because they have James Wiseman and Minnesota's lightly protected 2021 first-rounder. Andrew Wiggins, Kevon Looney, Wiseman and the pick work for Harden.
But does Houston really want to stare at Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and now Harden for the next three seasons?
Off the table: Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Brad Wanamaker (trade restriction) and Kent Bazemore (trade restriction)
First-round assets and trade exceptions
2021 first-round pick from Minnesota, top-three protected (unprotected in 2022 if not conveyed)
2021 own first-round pick (if Nos. 21-30)
2022 own first-round pick
2027 own first-round pick
Exceptions: $9.3 million (disabled), $2.2 million, $1.9 million and $1.6 million
Note: The Warriors owe Memphis a top-four protected first in 2024 from the Andre Iguodala trade. The pick has top-one protection in 2025 and is unprotected in 2026. As a result, the Warriors cannot trade a first until two years after that pick is conveyed.
Tradable contracts (2020-21 season)
Andrew Wiggins: $29.5 million; free agent in 2023
Kelly Oubre Jr.: $14.4 million; free agent in 2021
James Wiseman: $8.7 million; restricted free agent in 2024
Kevon Looney: $5.2 million; player option in 2021-22
Jordan Poole: $3.2 million; restricted free agent in 2022
Eric Paschall: $1.8 million; restricted free agent in 2022
Damion Lee: $1.8 million; free agent in 2022 ($600,000 guaranteed in 2020-21 and non-guaranteed in 2021-22)
Marquese Chriss: $1.8 million; free agent in 2021
Alen Smailagic: $1.5 million; free agent in 2023 (non-guaranteed in 2021-22 and 2022-23)
Mychal Mulder: $1.5 million; restricted free agent in 2022 (non-guaranteed in 2020-21 and 2021-22)
Juan Toscano-Anderson: $1.5 million: restricted free agent in 2022 (non-guaranteed in 2020-21 and 2021-22)
Miami Heat
Because the Heat would need to get within $33 million, a Harden package would consist of Andre Iguodala, Kelly Olynyk, Tyler Herro, Kendrick Nunn and Duncan Robinson.
The Heat are restricted on draft assets with only their 2025 and 2027 first-rounders available to trade.
Off the table: Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo (poison pill restriction), Goran Dragic (trade restriction), Meyers Leonard (trade restriction), Avery Bradley (trade restriction), Udonis Haslem (trade restriction) and Maurice Harkless (trade restriction)
First-round assets and trade exceptions
First-round picks in 2025 and 2027
Note: The Heat have their own first in 2022 and possibly 2024, 2025, 2026 and 2027. However, because they owe Oklahoma City an unprotected first in 2021 and a lottery-protected first in 2023 (with additional lottery protection in 2024, 2025 and unprotected in 2026 if not conveyed), the Heat are restricted from trading a future first. They can trade their 2025 first-rounder but only if the protection is lifted in 2023.
Tradable contracts (2020-21 season)
Andre Iguodala: $15.0 million; team option in 2021-22
Kelly Olynyk: $12.6 million; player option in 2020-21
Tyler Herro: $3.8 million; restricted free agent in 2023
Precious Achiuwa: $2.6 million; restricted free agent in 2024
Kendrick Nunn: $1.7 million; restricted free agent in 2021
Duncan Robinson: $1.7 million; restricted free agent in 2021
KZ Okpala: $1.5 million; restricted free agent in 2022
Chris Silva: $1.5 million; team option in 2021-22
New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans certainly have the draft assets to swing a deal. However, with Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram off the table, Houston would be staring at the expiring contract of JJ Redick along with a combination of Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, Jaxson Hayes and Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
Off the table: Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram (signing restriction), Wenyen Gabriel (signing restriction), Sindarius Thornwell (signing restriction) and Willy Hernangomez (signing restriction)
First-round assets
Own all future first-round picks (2021-2027
2021 Lakers first-rounder (if Nos. 1-8), pick becomes unprotected in 2022 if not conveyed
Right to swap first-round picks with Lakers in 2023
2024 Lakers first-rounder (can be deferred to 2025)
Right to swap first-round picks with Milwaukee in 2024
2025 Milwaukee first-rounder
Right to swap first-round picks with Milwaukee in 2026
2027 Milwaukee first-rounder
Tradable contracts (2020-21 season)
Steven Adams: $29.6 million; free agent in 2024 (can be traded starting on Dec. 11)
Eric Bledsoe: $16.9 million; free agent in 2023 (can be traded starting on Dec. 11)
JJ Redick: $13.0 million; free agent in 2021
Lonzo Ball: $11.0 million; restricted free agent in 2021
Jaxson Hayes: $5.1 million; restricted free agent in 2023
Kira Lewis Jr.: $3.6 million; restricted free agent in 2024
Josh Hart: $3.5 million; restricted free agent in 2021
Nickeil Alexander-Walker: $3.1 million; restricted free agent in 2023
Nicolo Melli: $3.9 million; restricted free agent in 2021
New York Knicks
The Knicks are the rare team that has cap space to take back Harden without sending back $33 million. But will they go for it?
New York spent the offseason taking a conservative approach, signing veteran free agents to one-year contracts. Swinging for the fences here would accelerate the rebuild but at a significant cost.
Off the table: Alec Burks (signing exception), Nerlens Noel (signing exception), Austin Rivers (signing exception) and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (signing exception)
Cap space: $18.5 million
First-round assets and trade exceptions
Own all future first-round picks (2021-2027)
2021 Dallas first-round pick (unprotected)
2023 Dallas first-round pick (top-10 protected)
Tradable contracts (2020-21 season)
Julius Randle: $18.9 million; free agent in 2022 ($3 million protection in 2021-22)
RJ Barrett: $8.2 million; restricted free agent in 2023
Frank Ntilikina: $6.2 million; restricted free agent in 2021
Dennis Smith Jr.: $5.7 million; restricted free agent in 2021
Obi Toppin: $4.8 million; restricted free agent in 2024
Elfrid Payton: $4.8 million; free agent in 2021
Kevin Knox: $4.6 million; restricted free agent in 2022
Reggie Bullock: $4.2 million; free agent in 2021
Immanuel Quickley: $2.1 million; restricted free agent in 2024
Jacob Evans: $2.0 million; restricted free agent in 2022
Omari Spellman: $2.0 million; restricted free agent in 2022
Mitchell Robinson: $1.7 million; team option in 2021-22
Ignas Brazdeikis: $1.5 million; restricted free agent in 2022
Philadelphia 76ers
We all know the history between new Philly president Daryl Morey and James Harden. It was Morey who traded for Harden back in 2012.
To get Houston even to the trade table, any type of package would have to center around All-Star Ben Simmons, Matisse Thybulle and future draft picks.
Off the table: Dwight Howard (trade restriction), Danny Green (aggregate restriction), Terrance Ferguson (aggregate restriction) and Vincent Poirier (aggregate restriction)
First-round assets and trade exceptions
Own all future first-round picks (2021-2027)
Exceptions: $1.9 million and $1.8 million
Note: Philadelphia will send Oklahoma City a 2025 protected first-rounder, meaning the 76ers are only allowed to trade a first-rounder in 2021, 2022 or 2023.
Tradable contracts (2020-21 season)
Tobias Harris: $34.4 million; unrestricted free agent in 2024
Ben Simmons: $30.6 million; unrestricted free agent in 2025
Joel Embiid: $29.5 million; unrestricted free agent in 2023
Seth Curry: $7.8 million; unrestricted free agent in 2023
Mike Scott: $5.0 million; unrestricted free agent in 2021
Matisse Thybulle: $2.7 million; restricted free agent in 2023
Tyrese Maxey: $2.5 million; restricted free agent in 2024
Shake Milton: $1.7 million; team option in 2022
Furkan Korkmaz: $1.8 million; unrestricted free agent in 2021
Isaiah Joe: $898,000; restricted free agent in 2023
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavaliers are a wild card here. Cleveland has young players on rookie contracts, first-round picks and large enough salaries to meet the requirements of a trade.
The question comes down to if GM Koby Altman is willing to fast forward a rebuild for Harden.
Off the table: Damyean Dotson (trade restriction) and Matthew Dellevadova (trade restriction)
First-round assets and trade exceptions
Own all future first-round picks (2021-2027)
2022 Milwaukee first-round pick (unprotected)
Trade exceptions: $3.9 million
Tradable contracts (2020-21 season)
Kevin Love: $31.3 million; free agent in 2023
Andre Drummond: $28.8 million; free agent in 2021
Larry Nance, Jr.: $11.9 million; free agent in 2023
Dante Exum: $9.6 million; free agent in 2021
Cedi Osman: $8.8 million. free agent in 2024
Darius Garland: $6.7 million. restricted free agent in 2023
Isaac Okoro: $6.4 million. restricted free agent in 2024
Collin Sexton: $4.9 million; restricted free agent in 2022
JaVale McGee: $4.2 million; free agent in 2021
Dylan Windler: $2.1 million; restricted free agent in 2023
Kevin Porter, Jr.: $1.7 million; restricted free agent in 2023
Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks are considered a longshot here. The lack of draft assets and the limited flexibility to take back money as a result of the hard cap will restrict Milwaukee when it comes to a Harden package.
For example, Milwaukee cannot trade a first-rounder and would have to move both Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez to fit Harden's $41.3 million below the tax apron.
Off the table: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday, Bobby Portis (trade restriction), DJ Augustin (trade restriction), Pat Connaughton (trade restriction), Bryn Forbes (trade restriction) and Torrey Craig (trade restriction)
First-round assets and trade exceptions
Own first-round picks in 2021, 2023, 2024 (New Orleans can swap) and 2026 (New Orleans can swap)
Note: Teams are not allowed to trade first-rounders in back-to-back years. As a result, Milwaukee is prohibited from trading a first-round pick.
Tradable contracts (2020-21 season)
Khris Middleton: $33.1 million; free agent in 2024
Brook Lopez: $12.7 million; free agent in 2023
DJ Wilson: $4.5 million; restricted free agent in 2021
Donte DiVincenzo: $3.0 million; restricted free agent in 2022
Sam Merrill: $898,000; restricted free agent in 2022
Jordan Nwora: $898,000; restricted free agent in 2022
Minnesota Timberwolves
Head of basketball operations Gersson Rosas has a familiarity with Harden from his time as an executive with the Rockets.
While the Timberwolves do not control their first-round pick in 2021 (and possibly 2022), they do have All-Star D'Angelo Russell, No. 1 pick Anthony Edwards and young players such as Jarrett Culver and Josh Okogie.
Off the table: Karl-Anthony Towns, Malik Beasley (trade restriction), Juancho Hernangomez (trade restriction) and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (trade restriction)
First-round assets and trade exceptions
Own their future first-round picks in 2023-2027
Trade exceptions: $1.7 million
Note: As part of the D'Angelo Russell trade, the Timberwolves owe Golden State a top-three protected first-rounder in 2021. Because the pick becomes unprotected in 2022 if not conveyed, the earliest that Minnesota can trade a first is in 2024.
Tradable contracts (2020-21 season)
D'Angelo Russell: $28.7 million; free agent in 2023
Ricky Rubio: $17.0 million; free agent in 2022
Anthony Edwards: $9.8 million; restricted free agent in 2024
Jarrett Culver: $6.1 million; restricted free agent in 2023
Ed Davis: $5.0 million; free agent in 2021
Jake Layman: $3.8 million; free agent in 2022
Josh Okogie: $2.7 million; restricted free agent in 2022
Jaden McDaniels: $2.0 million; restricted free agent in 2024 Jarred Vanderbilt: $1.7 million; restricted free agent in 2021
Jaylen Nowell: $1.5 million; free agent in 2023
Naz Reid: $1.5 million; free agent in 2023
Portland Trail Blazers
The Trail Blazers are only $6.9 million below the hard cap and taking back Harden's $41.4 million contract would require salary cap gymnastics.
Yes, a package of CJ McCollum and Zach Collins work by league rules, but Portland likely would have to include additional salary.
Off the table: Damian Lillard, Rodney Hood (trade restriction), Derrick Jones (trade restriction), Harry Giles (trade restriction) and Carmelo Anthony (trade restriction)
First-round assets and trade exceptions
Trade exceptions: $2.4 million, $2.0 million and $1.8 million
Note: As part of the Robert Covington trade, Portland owes Houston a first that is top-14 protected from 2021-2027. In order for the Trail Blazers to send Houston a 2023 first, the protection in 2021 would need to be lifted. If the pick protection is amended, Portland would then be allowed to trade firsts in 2023,2025 and 2027.
Tradable contracts (2020-21 season)
CJ McCollum: $29.4 million; free agent in 2024
Jusuf Nurkic: $12.9 million; free agent in 2022
Robert Covington: $12.1 million; free agent in 2022
Zach Collins: $5.4 million; restricted free agent in 2021
Enes Kanter: $5.0 million; free agent in 2021
Anfernee Simons: $2.3 million; restricted free agent in 2022
Nassir Little: $2.2 million; restricted free agent in 2023
Gary Trent, Jr.: $1.7 million: restricted free agent in 2021
CJ Elleby: $898K; restricted free agent in 2022
Sacramento Kings
New GM Monte McNair's prior stop was in Houston. He and the Kings could offer a package centered around Buddy Hield, Marvin Bagley III, Tyrese Haliburton, expiring contracts and future draft picks.
That offer likely does not trump what a team like the Nets could offer.
Off the table: De'Aaron Fox (poison pill restriction), Frank Kaminsky (trade restriction), Hassan Whiteside (trade restriction), Chimezie Metu (trade restriction, DaQuan Jeffries (trade restriction) and Glenn Robinson III (trade restriction)
First-round assets and trade exceptions
Own all their future first-round picks (2021-2027)
Trade exceptions: $2.7 million
Tradable contracts (2020-21 season)
Buddy Hield: $24.7 million; free agent in 2024
Harrison Barnes: $22.2 million; free agent in 2023
Cory Joseph: $12.6 million; free agent in 2022
Marvin Bagley III: $8.9 million; restricted free agent in 2022
Nemanja Bjelica: $7.2 million; free agent in 2021
Jabari Parker: $6.5 million; free agent in 2021
Richaun Holmes: $5.0 million; free agent in 2021
Tyrese Haliburton: $3.8 million; restricted free agent in 2024
Justin James: $1.5 million; restricted free agent in 2022
Robert Woodard II: $1.5 million; free agent in 2024
Jahmi'us Ramsey: $1.0 million; restricted free agent in 2023