Ever since the assembly of the big three consisting of Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving, the ceiling of the Brooklyn Nets has been that of NBA champions. Last year, the team had their best shot at the championship when they were eliminated by the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference Finals.

This year, things are a little more difficult. With Kevin Durant out due to injury and Kyrie Irving only available for away games, the responsibility of being the breadwinner and leader for the Nets has been assigned to James Harden.

Following the Nets’ most recent loss to the Lakers, Dwyane Wade addressed the rest of the TNT crew on James Harden’s future with the Nets.

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Dwyane Wade speaks on James Harden’s future

Since January 1st, 2022, the Nets have won an underwhelming 6 games out of the 14 played. This, along with factors such as taxes, weather, shouldering the load without Durant, and coach Steve Nash’s rotations, has led to reports of Harden choosing to test free agency in the summer of 2022. This was when Dwyane Wade addressed the TNT crew, explaining Harden’s choice to test free agency.

“I think it’s also true for James. It’s a sense of urgency,” said Wade.

“Like KD has a ring. Kyrie has a ring. James, he don’t. James is getting older right, we know this. And to be as productive as James is right, James is pretty much averaging a triple-double, and no one’s talking about it,” explained Wade.

“And besides him having a hamstring injury last year, he’s been pretty available for most of his career. So, this is sense of urgency time for James Harden. So if he say he wanna test free agency, that’s what it’s there for. For a player to be able to test free agency, that’s his right,” added Wade.

Wade then further explained that Harden has been the most consistent one for Brooklyn and this has allowed them to have 29 wins this season and so he has the right to do what he wishes.

James Harden this season

As Wade rightly mentioned, ‘The Beard’ has been playing at a consistent level for the Nets this year while almost averaging a triple-double.

In the loss to the Lakers, Harden was the one who led the team in the absence of KD and Kyrie. He would go on to finish the game with a triple-double (33 PTS, 11 AST, 12 REB).

Clearly, Harden forms an integral part of the Brooklyn Nets. With him choosing to test free agency, the Nets could probably lose an all-around player. But if the Nets were to become champions this year, maybe Harden would change his mind. Only time will answer the fate of ‘The Beard.’

Do you think the Nets will lift the title this season? Let us know in the comments below.

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