What Warriors' trade package for Harden would look like

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NBA teams never stop trying to improve, and the Warriors are no exception. So while it might seem ludicrous that Golden State would call the Western Conference rival Houston Rockets to inquire about trading for James Harden, that's just something smart organizations do.

The Athletic's Sham Charania noted on Complex's "Load Management" podcast that the Warriors were one of the teams to check in with the Rockets regarding Harden's availability, and they did so prior to Klay Thompson's torn Achilles. Meaning president of basketball operations Bob Myers had the thought of Steph Curry, Harden and Thompson sharing the court dancing through his head.

Of course, the on-court fit might be perceived as questionable. Putting Harden next to Curry in the backcourt would shift Thompson to the three, and force him to carry even more defensive responsibility in order to cover for a Curry-Harden defensive backcourt. Curry has grown into an above-average on-ball defender and remains one of the better off-ball defenders and steal artists in the league. Harden's defensive issues are well-known, but that is an issue with effort and not his ability.

Regardless of fit, the Warriors at least had the thought of putting three of the best shooters in NBA history on the same team, using Harden to fill the offensive hole left by the departed Kevin Durant. The Rockets seem content to hang on to their disgruntled superstar, but what if they were willing to entertain the idea of trading Harden to the Warriors? What would such a deal look like?

Let's look at the package the Warriors likely would have to give up in order to pair Harden with Curry and Thompson.

Andrew Wiggins: Let's get the obvious piece out of the way. Harden makes an annual average salary of $42.7 million, so any deal absolutely would have to have Wiggins and his $29.5 million salary going back to Houston.

Kevon Looney: Looney is a young center who also makes $5.2 million, so he's also going to have to be in the trade.

Eric Paschall: The Rockets would want both young talent and assets in order to part with a star who has been atop the MVP discussion for the past five years and still is in the middle of his prime. Paschall showed a lot of promise during a rookie season that saw him earn First-Team All-Rookie honors.

2020 first-round pick (now James Wiseman), Timberwolves' 2021 first-round pick, 2024 first-round pick: This pick became James Wiseman, but the Warriors reportedly inquired about the trade prior to the draft. If they were to revisit the talks, Wiseman would have to be in the deal. Given the amount of draft capital the New Orleans Pelicans and Oklahoma City Thunder got for Anthony Davis and Paul George, the Rockets would ask for a draft haul to send Harden, with three years left under contract, to their rival. That would obviously include the coveted Minnesota 2021 pick, future draft picks and perhaps a pick swap or two.

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Wiggins, Looney, Paschall, three first-round picks and two swaps are a hefty package, but that's the price of doing business in today's NBA.

The Warriors want to maximize the remaining years of Curry, Thompson and Draymond Green's prime, and adding Harden would give them firepower that couldn't be matched.

It's easy to knock the way Harden plays, but he's an incredibly gifted scorer and a tremendous passer. Yes, he thrived in the Rockets' system but he could absolutely mold his game to fit the Warriors' ball-movement offense. Having Harden would give the Warriors the secondary ball-handler they've been looking for and allow Curry to roam off-ball the way he did when Durant would initiate the offense.

It's admittedly wild to think of Harden suiting up next to Curry and Thompson rather than against them, but it's an idea that makes a lot of sense. Or at least did prior to Thompson's injury.

If maximizing the Curry years is the goal, there might not be a better way to do that than to put another superstar alongside him and Thompson.

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