The Denver Nuggets have routinely been linked to Washington Wizards shooting guard Bradley Beal in trade rumors, as both parties appear to need each other as much as any team and player could.
There is, however, another star two-guard who had caught the Nuggets’ eye.
According to The Athletic’s Sam Amick, the Nuggets had seriously considered bringing The Beard to Denver for him to play alongside early-season MVP candidate Nikola Jokic.
The Nuggets may be kicking themselves for not pouncing on that move, as rising star Jamal Murray has been inconsistent while battling through injuries this season and the promising Michael Porter Jr.’s playstyle often leads to frustration from his coaches and teammates. Sitting at 15-11, Denver is currently just seventh in the Western Conference standings.
As the Nets are just 17-12 themselves (though third in the Eastern Conference standings), it remains to be seen if Denver was better off not making a move for Harden.
Nonetheless, while his foul-baiting isn’t aesthetically pleasing to many fans, the Nuggets would have been hard-pressed to find another trade target as talented, decorated and available as the 2018 NBA MVP.
Harden is averaging 23.9 points. 11.3 assists, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.0 steal per game this season.
