The Phoenix Suns will not be able to offer much money to free agents but are still the favorites to land James Harden if he leaves the Los Angeles Clippers this offseason on BetOnline.ag.
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Next stop for James Harden?
If he doesn't stay with the L.A. Clippers, Phoenix Suns have best odds to land him, says @BetOnline_ag .
He's an unrestricted free agent. #Suns #ClipperNation pic.twitter.com/jaO9Lqdh3D
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) May 4, 2024
Harden is an unrestricted free agent heading into the offseason, but will likely command more than a veteran minimum contract, which is the only contract the Suns will be able to offer in free agency if they decide to keep their roster.
Offseason in Phoenix
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— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) April 29, 2024
Realistically, the only way the Suns could somehow get this done is a sign-and-trade deal, in which the Clippers sign Harden and the Suns trade a player for him.
However. with the Suns operating over the second-tax apron, Phoenix is unable to do that as well.
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Harden averaged 16.6 points on 42.8/38.1/87.8 shooting splits, 8.5 assists and 5.1 rebounds across 72 games in his 15th NBA season and first with the Clippers this year.
There were several rumors linking the 2017-18 MVP to the Suns last offseason.
Harden was traded to play with Kevin Durant on the Brooklyn Nets during the 2020-21 season, but was then dealt to the Philadelphia 76ers the following year at the trade deadline.
Durant and Harden also both started their careers with Oklahoma City Thunder, playing with each other in OKC from 2009-2012.
Harden is known to be the best player to ever come out of Arizona State. After playing two seasons at ASU from 2007-2009 and averaging 19 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists, Harden was drafted third overall by the Thunder in 2009.
Could we see these odds come to fruition or would this be highly unlikely?
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Brendan Mau is a senior writer covering the Phoenix Suns and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @Brendan_Mau
