5 Biggest What-ifs of the past decade

#2 2012: What if James Harden stayed in Oklahoma?

Oklahoma City Thunder v Miami Heat - Game Five

After consecutive trips to the Western Conference Finals (2011,12) and losing to James and the Miami Heat in 2012 NBA Finals, the Oklahoma City Thunder decided to let go of one of their young core pieces, James Harden. They had to choose between Harden and Serge Ibaka, and they went ahead with the latter.

OKC’s contract to Harden was six million less than the league’s maximum and he was given an hour to decide whether he was going to accept it or not. Contrary to popular belief, Harden was traded to the Houston Rockets before deciding on the contract offer.

As per Harden:

“We had big plans, that we were gonna win championships for years… it’s been four years and I still think about it. What if?”

The Thunder were destined for greatness if it weren’t for the questionable decisions by the front office. Harden is now a perennial superstar and MVP candidate as the face of the Houston Rockets.