Getty Image / Maddie Meyer
As this year’s NBA offseason approaches, there is quite a bit of interest in where James Harden will end up for next season.
After averaging over 20 points and 10 assists once again last season, he is one of the biggest names available in this year’s free agent class, but there haven’t been many teams believed to actually be in the running to bring him in this summer.
So far, the expectation has been that he’ll either decide to stay with the Philadelphia 76ers after they fell just short of making an Eastern Conference Finals appearance or he’ll head back to the Houston Rockets, who are the team he spent most of his NBA career with.
It turns out that there is actually a 3rd option that could be entering the conversation.
During an appearance on ESPN LA yesterday, NBA insider Ramona Shelburne revealed that the Phoenix Suns are also a team to watch for Harden.
.@ramonashelburne was live on @VeniceMase and @LAIreland when the breaking news about CP3 being waived was dropped.
Lakers fans, would you want to see Chris Paul in the purple and gold?
Vote below in the comments 👇 pic.twitter.com/GUSdj4OBNE
— ESPN Los Angeles (@ESPNLosAngeles) June 7, 2023
“The Phoenix Suns don’t waive Chris Paul] unless they feel pretty good about somebody else,” Shelburne said. “And I want you to keep your eye on James Harden. I don’t want to report anything, but that was in the wind for the past month or so.”
The Phoenix Suns are definitely going to need a new point guard for the 2023-24 season, but James Harden might not be the answer for them.
The Suns weren’t exactly renowned for their defense last season and Harden isn’t a particularly good defender.
He has also mad a habit of coming up short in the playoffs, which isn’t really what you want on a team looking to win its first ring.
James Harden is still a star in the NBA and will be a strong piece for whatever team he ends up with this offseason, but he just might not be the right fit for the Phoenix Suns.