Forget LeBron & Giannis, these are NBA players who need to show out in 2020-21

Man, wherever he ends up, this dude has to perform.

Harden has been the most significant NBA talking point for weeks, primarily because of his trade request. On this site alone, it’s been covered why Brooklyn’s best option in landing Harden would be to actually include Irving, though, they never would. Then, there was Harden’s trade list growing beyond Brooklyn and Philly, to Miami and Milwaukee. And then I did something on the Rockets being the ones with actual leverage here. And, speculation grew between the Heat and Rockets due to Giannis Antetokounmpo earning his supermax deal from Milwaukee. (The Heat shouldn’t make that deal right now, though.)

We don’t know where Harden will go, and whether or not he’ll even be traded, because it’s still possible that fences are mended, and or, John Wall and Christian Wood help elevate the team beyond expectations.

Still, regardless of Harden getting what he wants is insignificant compared to the fact that he has to produce, and win, this season. For years, after having amazing regular seasons, including one MVP award, Harden’s gotten everything he’s wanted, torched the league from October through April, and flopped in the playoffs.

A trade won’t shake the pressure off the bearded one, even if he gets what he wants one more time.