James Harden’s free agency intrigue could include Suns
James Harden’s free agency journey has already begun and there are new rumors surfacing that the star player is considering a possible move to the Phoenix Suns. ESPN reporter Ramona Shelbourne stated on Friday that “The Phoenix Suns don’t waive Chris Paul unless they feel pretty good about somebody else… 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 speculation comes after the Suns have reportedly waived Paul this week. Even with Kevin Durant’s addition to the Brooklyn Nets, Paul and Devin Booker were unable to defeat the talent-heavy Denver Nuggets squad currently in the NBA Finals.
Harden is known for his scoring prowess, averaging 21 points per game and leading the league with 10.7 assists last season. If he does become a free agent, joining forces with Booker and Durant would create one of the most lethal trios in the league. The Suns may have a clear path to sign Harden and work around salary cap issues if they officially waive Paul.
FAQs:
What is free agency?
Free agency is a time when basketball players who are not under contract with any team are free to negotiate and sign contracts with any team they choose.
When does free agency begin for the NBA?
Free agency for the NBA begins on July 6th each year.
What does “waiving” a player mean?
Waiving a player means that a team has terminated the player’s contract, making them a free agent.
How does the salary cap work in the NBA?
The salary cap in the NBA is a limit on the amount of money a team can spend on player salaries each season. Teams must stay under this cap, or face penalties. However, there are certain exceptions and rules that allow teams to sign players even if they are over the cap.
Suns may be part of the intriguing mix for James Harden’s free agency.
The James Harden free agency saga has kicked off well ahead of the official July 6th start date, with ESPN’s Ramona Shelbourne suggesting on Friday that the Phoenix Suns could be a potential destination for the former MVP. “The Phoenix Suns don’t waive Chris Paul unless they feel pretty good about somebody else,” Shelbourne observed, adding, “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.” Paul was reportedly waived by the Suns this week, after the addition of Kevin Durant failed to give him and Devin Booker the necessary firepower to beat the Denver Nuggets. Harden, who led the league with a 10.7 assists per game average last season, would bring some much-needed scoring prowess to Phoenix, potentially making him a dynamic piece alongside Booker and Durant. It is believed that Paul’s wages being off the books would provide the Suns with the flexibility they need to sign Harden and make it work within the salary cap, should the player hit the open market.