The James Harden trade seems like a lifetime ago, but it’s still interesting to learn about what else was going on behind the scenes. Apparently, the Washington Wizards were in the mix for Harden’s services as well, but were hesitant to give him $80 million.
The Washington Wizards turned down a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder for James Harden this summer because team owner Ted Leonsis was unwilling to commit to what would have been a roughly $80 million, five-year contract for the high-scoring player, according to multiple people with knowledge of the proposed deal.
The Wizards would have sent rookie guard Bradley Beal and second-year forward Chris Singleton to the Thunder in return for Harden, winner of the NBA’s sixth-man award with Oklahoma City last season, according to these individuals, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk about the proposal.
H/T: Washington Post
