Jayson Tatum & James Harden battling it out in early 2020

According to Celtics GM Danny Ainge and Brian Robb of Boston Sports Journal & 98.5 sports hub, the Houston Rockets had a big asking price of James Harden had Boston been interested in trading for him.

The trade included: Houston Receives: Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart, and “multiple” first round picks, and Boston would receive the former league MVP James Harden. While it may have been nice to have Harden in the Celtics green, I’m happy they didn’t pull the trigger for him.

The asking price wouldn’t have been worth it. Based on how Jaylen Brown has looked this year, the future of Boston would have relied on Jayson Tatum alone with Brown gone. James Harden is 31 years old, and only has so many years of his prime left. Harden wanted to go to Brooklyn (and got what he wanted), and it sure would have been painful to possibly see another Celtics star leave for Brooklyn like Kyrie did.

Jaylen Brown is 24 and is having an outstanding season. Tatum is “the guy” for this squad, where Brown knows his role and accepts that this is Tatum’s team at the end of the day. Had Boston traded for Harden, I don’t think he would have taken kindly to being second fiddle to Tatum, since he’s been “the guy” for Houston since being traded there in 2012. Marcus Smart also being involved in the deal would’ve hurt Boston’s depth, and he’s arguably the heart and soul for the Celtics. You’d miss Smart in big games. It’s better to not only have the younger star in Brown, who could eventually put up close to James Harden numbers based on how he’s looked, but also having Smart for his toughness and grit.

Personally, I think based on the nonsense going on in Brooklyn with the Kyrie Irving drama, bringing in James Harden will only add fuel to the fire. This has always been KD’s team, being the “Batman” of the squad and Kyrie playing “Robin”. With Harden there, Kyrie is now basically “Alfred” to KD and Harden. On paper, they no doubt have the best starting 5 in basketball. If Brooklyn can make it work, it’s almost a forgone conclusion they can win the title.

But I doubt that’ll happen. Be happy Harden isn’t here Boston, the asking price would’ve been too much.