What would the NBA look like if James Harden never left Oklahoma City? NBA “what ifs” always make for interesting podcast discussions, and Gilbert Arenas had plenty to say about this topic on his show. He boldly claimed that if Harden never left OKC, the Golden State Warriors and Steph Curry might have ended up with fewer championships.
Arenas believes that when Thunder failed to prioritize Harden at the end of his first rookie contract, it was a mistake that benefited the Houston Rockets. OKC was outbid by Houston, and Harden was subsequently dealt there in a sign-and-trade deal. Once in Houston, Harden quickly became a perennial All-Star.
Arenas stated in his show, “If James stays, you can say, there’s probably no Golden State dynasty.” Arenas is implying that if Harden had stayed in OKC, the Warriors’ domination of the league may have been diminished or, at the very least, delayed.
The conversation surrounding James Harden’s departure from OKC and its impact on the league is speculative, but it’s hard to deny that his move to Houston significantly altered the NBA landscape. The Thunder’s decision not to prioritize Harden may have inadvertently contributed to the rise of the formidable Golden State Warriors dynasty.
