In an interesting twist to the ongoing saga between James Harden and the Philadelphia 76ers, Las Vegas sportsbooks suggest that the Chicago Bulls are the most likely team to acquire Harden from the Sixers. According to Bovada, the Bulls have a +300 odds, making them the top contender. They are closely followed by the Houston Rockets, New York Knicks, and Miami Heat.
Despite Vegas odds, the fit of Harden into the Bulls’ roster remains questionable. After a disappointing 124-104 loss against the Oklahoma City Thunder on opening night, tension within the team seems clear. Post-match, Bulls’ coach Billy Donovan was noticeably absent from the locker room, which was taken over by a players-only meeting. Team star players like Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan stated their concerns over the team’s “heart” and overall effort.
The Bulls are the favorites to land James Harden if he’s not traded to the Clippers, per @BovadaOfficial
(Via https://t.co/4cUAnVskab) pic.twitter.com/oG38guHjmP
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) October 27, 2023
It is clear that the Bulls are having some internal conflict and might be considering some major changes. Can Harden be the solution to these problems?
How would James Harden fit into the Chicago Bulls lineup?
Harden is known for his dynamic playmaking ability and could provide an offensive boost to any team he goes to. But the Bulls, with ball-dominant players like Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Nikola Vucevic, might find it challenging to add another player who takes more ball possession. The partnership between Harden and DeRozan is especially concerning given DeRozan’s problems with three-point shooting and Harden’s non-preference for catch-and-shoot situations.
The Bulls might find themselves in a more difficult situation defensively. If Patrick Williams, a key defensive player, is used to trade for Harden, the team’s defense, which ranked fifth-best last season, could be affected. And Harden’s past of switching teams is not going to work with the current Bulls lineup.
The Bulls are the FAVORITES to land James Harden after the Clippers.
The Bulls are FAR apart in extension negotiations with DeMar Dezrozan.
Very possible Harden is traded for DeRozan soon.#ChicagoHistory ☑️ pic.twitter.com/DH53wnIT9T
— Chicago History ™️ (@Chicago_History) October 28, 2023
It is appealing to add another star to the team, but Harden might not address the Bulls’ core issues. Chicago surely needs a big change in roster but whether that should involve a trade for Harden remains debatable. Balancing offense and defense is important for any team and it’s uncertain if the Bulls would benefit from Harden’s signing.
The rumors of Harden’s potential move to Chicago are growing, but the team has to see the long-term effects against the potential short-term benefits. The Bulls fans eagerly anticipates the front office’s next move, hoping for a solution that helps the Bulls back into championship contention.