James Harden is the latest star name added to trade deadline rumors, with the Cleveland Cavaliers as a possible landing spot, which actually says a lot about the Detroit Pistons.
[Insider Jake Fischer](https://marcstein.substack.com/) (subscription) reported that the Clippers and Harden were working on getting him out of LA and that the Cavaliers were “legitimate contenders” for his services.
The Cavs hoped [firing JB Bickerstaff](https://pistonpowered.com/jb-bickerstaff-totally-vindicated-former-team-struggles-detroit-pistons) would be the key to getting them out of the second round, but that didn’t work and now they are seeking win-now help.
Harden is still plugging along at age 36, averaging over 25 points and eight assists, though his shooting numbers have taken a slight dip from his career averages. As good as Harden is, this could backfire on the Cavs, who are at their best when the ball is moving in their offense. I could be wrong here, but Harden seems like a difficult player to work in on the fly.
You can argue the merits of the move, but it does show that the Cavs don’t think they have enough to win the Eastern Conference and are looking for big-time outside help.
Cleveland is in the 5th spot, 7.5 games behind the Pistons, so it’s not like they are bad and have a very good chance of landing a top four spot even if they don’t make a big move.
I also wouldn’t say they’d be making this move just because of the Pistons, as the Cavs have already beaten Detroit (handily) this season and are a veteran team with plenty of confidence.
But when you see both the Cavs (Harden) and Knicks (Giannis) trying desperately to make big moves, it does show that they know their window is closing, as the Pistons are lapping the East right now and doing it with a young team that is only going to get better.
You can’t blame them for thinking this might be their last chance, especially with teams like the Celtics and Pacers expected to be right back to form next season.
It also shows a lot about how the Pistons view themselves.
The Detroit Pistons aren’t looking for an aging superstar
----------------------------------------------------------
I have no earthly idea if the Pistons are going to make a big move at the trade deadline, but if they do, it’s not likely to be for a guy like Harden, who is the type of desperate win-now move they don’t need.
We’ve not seen the Pistons connected to players like Harden or Ja Morant, which is a nice respite, as they don’t need to make a risky move to contend.
The Pistons will likely make some kind of move, but it doesn’t have to be a glamour name that carries just as much risk as reward and costs them the sustainable success they have in front of them.
Detroit won't be going "all-in" on anyone, and they don't need to, which is a nice place to be.