James Harden to Chicago now a possibility? Bulls fans think so

In today’s NBA it’s becoming increasingly apparent that you need a true superstar talent that can put your franchise on their back if you wish to truly contend for a championship. Fortunately for the Chicago Bulls, it looks like one may actually become available, as James Harden is attempting to force the hand of the Philadelphia 76ers by refusing to participate until he is traded.

Harden may have demanded a trade out of Philly earlier this summer, but it seems the 76ers have failed to find an adequate partner in negotiations thus far. Following their inability to get a deal done, 76ers’ general manager Daryl Morey then released a statement that Philadelphia intends to enter the season with Harden still on the roster and will continue competing for a championship.

And just like that, this is where all hell breaks loose.

During his press tour in China, Harden spoke to the audience in attendance, “Daryl Morey is a liar and I will never be a part of an organization that he’s a part of. Let me say that again: Daryl Morey is a liar and I will never be a part of an organization that he’s a part of.” Not only was this statement a bomb in its own right, but it was made all the more explosive when you consider the fact Morey is an extremely controversial figure in China due to his comments in support of Hong Kong back in 2020.

Could James Harden be the missing piece for the Chicago Bulls?

Although it’s been reported the 76ers wanted a star-level player and draft picks in any potential Harden trade, this news just might have done enough to tank Harden’s perceived value and the eventual asking price. If Harden persists in sitting out, the 76ers may just have to settle for one or the other.

This piqued the interest of Bulls fans, as it just so happens, Chicago has a star player that could potentially be used to orchestrate a deal with Philadelphia here: DeMar DeRozan. With both veteran stars on expiring contracts, it may just be the type of low-risk, high-reward gamble these two teams would be willing to take.

This has already sparked a great deal amongst the fanbase, with a poll of over 500 Bulls fans nearly splitting the vote on whether they’d prefer DeRozan or Harden on this team next season.

Harden would undoubtedly be a better fit on this Bulls roster that desperately lacks a true playmaker and is in need of additional shooting. I’d be interested to see how a LaVine-Harden backcourt would mesh, especially if it opens up more opportunities for Patrick Williams to step into a bigger role offensively.

That being said, as good as this union may look on paper, serious doubts surround how this trade would play out in reality. For starters, I’m not sure how interested Morey would be interested in sacrificing his beloved three-point-centric strategy here, even if DeRozan is the best return the 76ers could get. More importantly, this Bulls team looks to DeMar as a leader, both in the locker room and on the court. Replacing that presence with an attitude problem that’s dying to get to LA as soon as possible doesn’t sound like a foolproof plan.

We’ll undoubtedly see this story update as we progress toward training camp, but it may be best to pump the brakes if you’re holding out hope for Harden to join the Bulls.