Sporting News The Warriors ‘have continued to complete their due diligence’ on the $60 million All-Star 76ers candidate.

As the NBA trade season heats up, few teams are under as much scrutiny as the Golden State Warriors. Known for their championship pedigree and dominant run through the 2010s, the Warriors are again in the spotlight with one of the most talked-about trade rumors of the season. The latest reports suggest that the Warriors are carefully monitoring a potential trade for Philadelphia 76ers’ All-Star player, James Harden.

Harden, a former NBA MVP and one of the league’s most prolific offensive players, has been the subject of trade rumors for several years, and despite his incredible offensive capabilities, his fit with the 76ers has always seemed complicated. After yet another summer of speculation surrounding his future in Philadelphia, Harden remains one of the most high-profile names on the NBA trade market. The Golden State Warriors, ever diligent and always looking for ways to improve their roster, have reportedly been among the teams completing their due diligence on the 76ers’ star guard, who has been valued at around $60 million.

This article will explore the dynamics of this potential trade scenario, why the Warriors are keeping a close eye on Harden, what the benefits and risks of acquiring him would be, and how such a deal could reshape the Warriors’ future and their quest for another championship. We’ll also dive into the broader picture of Golden State’s trade strategy and how Harden could fit into the Warriors’ system, which already boasts a trio of established stars in Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green.

James Harden’s Current Situation with the Philadelphia 76ers

James Harden has long been one of the most polarizing players in the NBA. Known for his incredible offensive game, including his elite scoring, playmaking ability, and step-back three-pointers, Harden was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers from the Brooklyn Nets in February 2022 in a blockbuster deal that saw the 76ers acquire the former MVP in exchange for Ben Simmons. At the time of the trade, Harden was expected to be the missing piece alongside Joel Embiid to push the 76ers into the ranks of true championship contenders.

However, while Harden’s individual numbers have remained strong, the partnership with Embiid has not fully lived up to expectations. Inconsistent playoff performances, coupled with concerns about Harden’s physical conditioning and ability to be a reliable leader in the postseason, have led to mounting questions about his future in Philadelphia. Furthermore, Harden’s relationship with the 76ers organization has reportedly soured at times, with trade rumors and off-the-court drama continuing to swirl around the All-Star guard.

Despite these issues, Harden’s value remains incredibly high, with his combination of offensive versatility and leadership making him one of the top players in the league when he is at his best. This is where the Golden State Warriors come into play. With the Warriors’ window for championships still open, but growing narrower as their veteran core ages, the team is seeking ways to enhance their roster and add depth to their already potent lineup.

Warriors’ Interest in Harden: Completing Their Due Diligence

According to reports from Sporting News, the Golden State Warriors have been “completing their due diligence” on Harden, evaluating all possible angles of a trade for the 76ers star. While it remains unclear whether the Warriors will make a move, the fact that they are actively exploring this opportunity shows just how seriously they are considering the addition of a player like Harden.

The Warriors’ interest in Harden is driven by a few key factors. First and foremost, the team is looking for ways to extend their championship window while maintaining their core of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green. While the trio of Curry, Thompson, and Green has delivered multiple titles to Golden State, they are all aging, and the Warriors need to plan for the future. Adding a player like Harden, who can create offense at will and provide a scoring spark when needed, would go a long way in ensuring that the Warriors remain a contender for years to come.

Moreover, Harden’s offensive skill set could complement the Warriors’ style of play. The Warriors are known for their emphasis on ball movement, spacing, and three-point shooting, all of which would align well with Harden’s playmaking and scoring ability. While Harden has often been criticized for his ball-dominant style of play in the past, he has shown an ability to adjust to different systems and take on more of a facilitator role when necessary. With Curry, Thompson, and Green leading the way, Harden could slot into the Warriors’ system without disrupting their identity.

The Financial Consideration: Harden’s $60 Million Price Tag

One of the biggest obstacles to any potential Harden deal is his hefty salary. Harden’s current contract, which includes a player option worth approximately $60 million for the 2025–2026 season, makes him one of the highest-paid players in the NBA. This massive price tag not only complicates any potential trade but also creates salary cap challenges for the Warriors, who are already navigating a luxury tax situation due to their expensive roster.

For the Warriors to acquire Harden, they would need to make salary-matching moves. This would likely involve sending out significant contracts, such as Jordan Poole, Andrew Wiggins, and potentially Kevon Looney or Moses Moody, in addition to draft picks or other young assets. While the Warriors have the financial flexibility to make such a move, the front office would need to weigh whether the cost of acquiring Harden—both in terms of salary and potential roster depletion—is worth it for the team’s long-term aspirations.

Despite these challenges, sources suggest that the Warriors are considering the financial and roster implications carefully. The team’s front office is renowned for its ability to make smart, calculated moves, and they understand that a deal for Harden would need to balance the immediate improvement it could provide with the potential long-term ramifications for the team’s depth and cap flexibility.

The Potential Fit: How Harden Would Fit into the Warriors’ System

While Harden’s offensive game is well-known, the biggest question regarding a potential trade to the Warriors is how he would fit into their system. The Warriors have a distinct style of play that emphasizes movement, passing, and a team-oriented approach. While Harden has thrived in an offense that runs through him as a primary ball handler, Golden State’s system involves much more off-the-ball action and collective contributions from all players on the floor.

However, despite the differences in style, there are several reasons why Harden could work well with the Warriors:

1. Offensive Versatility: Harden’s ability to play both on and off the ball would allow him to fit seamlessly into the Warriors’ offense. He could be a primary ball handler when Curry is off the floor, and when Curry is on the court, Harden could operate as a secondary playmaker, relieving Curry of some of the offensive burden. Harden’s ability to score from anywhere on the court—whether it’s his three-point shooting, mid-range game, or finishing at the rim—would provide an added layer of offensive firepower to the Warriors’ already potent attack.
2. Playmaking Ability: Harden’s vision and basketball IQ are elite, and his playmaking would complement the Warriors’ ball movement-heavy offense. Harden’s ability to create opportunities for his teammates and set up open looks would align well with the Warriors’ emphasis on spacing and quick ball movement. He would also provide another outlet for Green to play off of, as both Harden and Green are excellent facilitators in the half-court set.
3. Defensive Concerns: One area where the Warriors may have concerns with Harden is on the defensive side of the ball. While Harden is not a slouch defensively, he is often criticized for his lack of effort at times, particularly when defending against quicker guards or wing players. The Warriors would need to ensure that they have a system in place to cover for any defensive deficiencies and that Harden is committed to buying in on that end of the floor. Given the Warriors’ success with players like Draymond Green and Kevon Looney, who are both elite defenders, the hope would be that Harden’s presence would be balanced out by the team’s overall defense-first mentality.
4. Leadership and Chemistry: While Harden has had mixed reviews in terms of leadership, his experience as a perennial All-Star and former MVP would be invaluable for the Warriors. His ability to step up in high-pressure situations and his postseason experience would add another layer of expertise to a locker room that is already filled with proven winners like Curry and Green. The key for the Warriors would be ensuring that Harden can adapt to a role where he is not the focal point of the offense, as Curry remains the unquestioned leader of the team.

The Warriors’ Long-Term Vision

The Warriors are an organization that values long-term success as much as immediate results. While they are still a championship contender with their current roster, the team knows that the aging core of Curry, Thompson, and Green won’t last forever. The team must balance the need for championship contention with the need to prepare for the future.

Acquiring Harden could offer a window into the future, with a player who can keep the Warriors relevant in the coming years, but it also carries risk. The Warriors will need to ensure that Harden fits their system and that the move doesn’t disrupt the chemistry they’ve built over the years.