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Kevin Durant already has two former Oklahoma City Thunder teammates in Brooklyn with him in Jeff Green and Royal Ivey, the latter joining the franchise as an assistant coach.
Durant reportedly wanted a third ex-Thunder teammate to move to Brooklyn — James Harden — but chatter seems to have died down since NBA free agency began on Friday.
Still, there’s been no indication that a deal couldn’t be struck. So it’s only natural to wonder, how would Harden fit in with Durant and, especially, Kyrie Irving?
Retired four-time NBA All-Star Rasheed Wallace tried answer that very question when he appeared on WFAN’s Moose & Maggie on Tuesday.
“I don’t think that would work,” Wallace said. “Because look at the two players. You got James Harden, we all know that he’s a scoring machine, instant offense. But, he demands to have the ball. He has to have the ball in his hands to be effective. It’s been quite some time since we’ve seen James Harden lined up in the corner, waiting for the ball to get to him for a three. You’re dealing with Kyrie, as well. Kyrie, of course, being the point guard that he is, he’s a little bit more of a facilitator than James Harden, I think. But, in my opinion, I don’t know if you can have both of them out there on the floor — because they need to have that ball in their hands too much to be effective.
“Of course, KD is KD. He don’t need the ball. Because he could come off a screen, he could get his own shot. So, he doesn’t necessarily have to dribble a gajillion times to try to get a layup or somewhat of an open jump shot.”
When asked if the personalities could mesh if Harden’s was added to the mix, Wallace said, “I think that would be more up to the players as opposed to the coach or coaching staff.”
“Look how it gelled for KD for those two years out there in Golden State,” he added. “It could be the same thing here in Brooklyn.”
Could James Harden work with the Nets? @iam_sheed gives his thoughts on Harden's fit with KD and Kyrie in Brooklyn. @MandMWFAN pic.twitter.com/CW5qcfBxos
— WFAN Sports Radio (@WFAN660) November 24, 2020