NBA icon Paul Pierce hinted at the possibility of James Harden’s imminent departure from the league, citing potential similarities to the career trajectories of past stars like Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony.
Pierce’s comments arrive amidst ongoing talks about Harden’s desire to be traded to the Los Angeles Clippers from the Philadelphia 76ers, an anticipated move that would mark the third time the former MVP has requested a trade.
“To be honest, I can see this possibly be James Harden’s last year in the league. Think about it… like he’s made a lot of money and this has nothing to do with his game. But we saw this happen with Allen Iverson, we saw it happen with Melo,” Pierce said on Showtime Basketball, via HoopsHype.
Having previously engineered exits from the Houston Rockets and Brooklyn Nets, Harden’s persistent pursuit of trades might prompt teams to approach signing the accomplished player with caution, particularly regarding long-term contracts.
While Pierce acknowledged that Harden’s situation is not directly related to his performance on the court, his observations raise questions about the future of the 32-year-old guard and his potential plans beyond the current season.
