James Harden For Kyrie Irving Blockbuster Deal Makes Sense For Brooklyn Nets, But It’s Complicated

It’s a blockbuster deal that might just blow up the internet: silent Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving for disgruntled Houston Rockets star James Harden.

By the way, if they were traded for one another, Irving (media holdout) and Harden (party holdout) would also exchange the disgruntled label.

On the surface, this seems like an obvious move for Brooklyn (the Rockets reportedly would be interested in this return for Harden). It certainly is to former NBA player turned ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins. Perkins, of course, also accused Irving of faking an injury to avoid having to return to Boston last season. But what he’s saying here does make sense.

“I’d trade Kyrie for Harden in a heartbeat,” Perkins told Heavy.com’s Brandon Robinson on Thursday afternoon. “If I’m Brooklyn and I’m looking to do what’s best for this Brooklyn team and I’m looking to get better, hell yeah.”

But this is where Kevin Durant enters the equation. Durant and Irving are best friends. And after talking about it for awhile – in a hallway during All-Star weekend, for example – they decided to team up in Brooklyn. Because of injuries, Dec. 22 against Golden State should mark their first regular-season game playing together.

It seems more likely that Durant would sign off on playing with both Irving and Harden (who demanded a trade to Brooklyn after they talked during workouts in Los Angeles) rather than dealing his best friend for his other close friend. The Nets’ other assets, though, don’t appeal to the Rockets, which is why Harden has expanded his trade list to Philadelphia, Miami and Milwaukee.

Irving grew up a Nets’ fan. He loved Jason Kidd and Kenyon Martin. The team has retro jerseys from the New Jersey era because of him. But his injury history makes him more of a risk, whereas Harden has been durable throughout his career.

Irving does have something Harden doesn’t: a championship ring, and the NBA finals-clinching shot to go along with it. But that came as the No. 2 option behind LeBron James. Both Harden (Houston) and Irving (Boston) had their share of tough playoff performances as the No. 1 guy. Assuming Durant performs like his old self, both ball-dominant guards would fall one spot in the pecking order.

The Nets are hoping Irving thrives in that role. He’s definitely the more exciting player of the two, but Harden’s ability to get to the free-throw line seemingly at will did nearly enable Houston to upset the Warriors in the conference finals before Klay Thompson saved the Golden State dynasty. Over the last three seasons, Harden has averaged 33.7 points, 7.9 assists and 6.2 rebounds.

Dealing Harden for Irving would also allow Brooklyn to keep its supporting cast (and presumably most if not all of its future picks). As a result, it also would keep Harden away from fellow contenders like the 76ers, Heat and Bucks.

Plus, the Nets probably wouldn’t want to develop a reputation as a team that signs stars only to trade them a moment’s notice. In the player empowerment era, there’s no sense in that.

Ultimately, a move like this seems unlikely. Maybe it can be revisited later in the season – assuming Harden isn’t dealt somewhere else by then – if the Nets are struggling and feel like they need to make a change.

But Durant and Irving teamed up so they could play together. Their partnership deserves some time. Talent for talent, it makes sense for Brooklyn. But relationships complicate matters.