Why Bill Simmons believes Harden would veto trade to Warriors

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Before Klay Thompson sustained a torn right Achilles tendon Nov. 18, the Warriors reportedly called the Houston Rockets to see if they were interested in discussing a potential James Harden trade.

"I don't even believe an offer was made," The Athletic's Shams Charania said Tuesday on the "Load Management" podcast. "I think it was just an inquiry like, 'We have a major potential offer here if you guys want to discuss.' "

The Ringer's Bill Simmons on his Friday podcast made it clear that he believes Harden will be traded sooner rather than later, and that Harden ultimately reunites with Daryl Morey on the Philadelphia 76ers.

But he did mention how the Warriors could send James Wiseman, Andrew Wiggins, the Minnesota Timberwolves' 2021 top-three protected first-rounder and a bunch of future pick swaps in exchange for the 2017-18 NBA MVP. 

"Here's the problem if you're Harden -- you're not winning the title if they do that, because Klay Thompson is out for the year," Simmons said. "So you're going to play with Steph Curry and Draymond Green and you're not gonna win the title. You're in the same spot you are now.

"So he'll veto that ... with no Klay Thompson, he's not talking himself into that."

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We aren't going to dive too deep into this and analyze everything that was said. But we will ask a couple of questions:

-Why would Harden (who does not have a no-trade clause) be so opposed to this deal?

-Are we sure the Warriors, with Harden, wouldn't have a shot at winning the title this season?

RELATED: Wiggins gives perfect response to why Warriors will be better

It's unclear why Simmons didn't mention how if this trade actually happens, the Warriors would go into the 2021-22 season with Steph, Klay, Draymond and Harden.

That's a pretty good core, eh? We will leave it at that.

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