In recent years, one of the most altering deals in league history involved the Oklahoma City Thunder. After failing to reach an extension, OKC shipped James Harden to the Houston Rockets in 2012.
The Thunder failed to get proper value as they fell short of a championship with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. Meanwhile, Harden blossomed into a superstar and was one of the best players of his era.
In a “Road Trippin'” podcast appearance, Kendrick Perkins revealed Harden’s time with Team USA in 2012 showed the first signs of fractures in his relationship with the Thunder.
After an NBA Finals appearance, OKC’s trio of Durant, Westbrook and Harden were on Team USA during the 2012 Olympics. They went on to win a gold medal. Afterward, Harden was eligible to sign an extension with the Thunder but never did.
“(Kevin Durant) said, ‘Man, (we’re) about to lose (Harden)’,” Perkins said. “… At the Olympics (LeBron James, Dwyane Wade), all those guys were telling James, ‘Bro, (you’re) too nice to be coming off the bench… You need to have your own team.’”
Kendrick Perkins believes James Harden’s time with Team USA in 2012 led to his departure from the Thunder. Said players like LeBron and DWade told him he needs his own team
pic.twitter.com/1uqSuJ2Rxx— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) August 12, 2024
This has been a popular theory for years. Many assumed Harden’s time with Team USA planted the idea that he was too talented to be the third option. There are other reasons why he left OKC, but that was a primary one.
