NBA Offseason 2020: 5 blockbuster James Harden trades

3. Denver Nuggets

Do the Rockets believe that Gary Harris can actually stay healthy with a change of scenery? Because if they don’t, this offer suddenly looks a lot less appealing. But if they do think he can stay on the court long enough to return to being one of the NBA’s best young 3-and-D guards, this becomes one of the better offers on the market.

The blue chip prospect at the center of all this is obviously Michael Porter Jr., who was thrilling to watch once he got extended minutes in the NBA bubble (but maybe not as thrilling to watch when he gave his extended thoughts on COVID-19). At just 22 years old, MPJ has legitimate star potential, which is a top priority for any potential return on a Harden trade.

Harris is only 26 years old, and even if he’s banged up again, he’s only got two years left on his contract. The same goes for Will Barton, a useful veteran wing that Houston could easily flip elsewhere to a playoff team looking for bench depth. To make this work, the Denver Nuggets would have to include its 2021 pick, and it’d probably have to throw in another first-rounder since that 2021 selection — even in a loaded class — is likely to come near the end of the first round.

If the Nuggets are willing to include two or more picks, suddenly they have enough to leap to the top of the Western Conference between Harden, Nikola Jokic and one of this biggest breakout stars of the NBA bubble in Jamal Murray. Denver could stay patient and try to build a contender through internal growth, but a Big 3 like that would immediately propel them into the title conversation.