Could the Raptors be closer to acquiring James Harden?

James Harden (Google Images)

When the Milwaukee Bucks signed Giannis Antetokounmpo to a five-year deal worth $228.2 million, it not only made the Bucks a force for years to come, but forced teams hoping to acquire the Greek Freak in free agency at the end of the year to move to Plan B. No other team in the NBA was hoping to acquire Antetokounmpo more than the Toronto Raptors. Masai Ujiri, the Raptors President of Basketball Operations had tried very hard to get Antetokounmpo even the year he was drafted by the Bucks in 2013.

Now with the Raptors having a slow start at 1-3, and falling out of favour with Pascal Siakam, this could be the time Ujiri makes the Houston Rockets a huge offer now to acquire the disgruntled James Harden. On Tuesday, in the Raptors’ 100-93 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, Siakam fouled out, and instead of joining his teammates on the bench, went right to the Raptors dressing room. This action annoyed the Raptors organization, and they decided to bench their star from Cameroon on Thursday in the Raptors’ 100-83 win over the New York Knicks.

Houston is reportedly interested in Siakam. The power forward seemed to be untouchable two seasons ago when Ujiri put together the Raptors team that won the 2019 NBA Finals. However after a poor playoff performance in the Orlando playoff bubble this past summer, it appears that the tone has changed by Raptors management.

The question is whether or not Harden is interested in the Raptors? He has not yet put Toronto on the list of teams he is willing to be traded to. But the bottom line is the Raptors may have more to offer the Rockets than other potential suitors such as the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers. As long as Siakam decreases his connection with the Raptors, the chances of Harden joining the Raptors increases.

One must remember that the Raptors and Rockets have made a trade before. In July 2012, Houston traded star point guard Kyle Lowry to Toronto for Gary Forbes and a first round pick. Ironically, the trade ended up preventing the Raptors from drafting Antetokounmpo seven years ago. However, Lowry was instrumental in Toronto winning the NBA Finals.

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