What if the trio of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden had been allowed to play together in their primes? Would the Warriors dynasty even exist? Would Harden ever win MVP? These are the kinds of hypotheticals that fuel debates among NBA scholars and start arguments at lunch tables from all over.
If James Harden had stayed in Oklahoma City, he almost certainly would not have won MVP. If you aren’t familiar with “The Beard’s” 2018 award it can properly be encapsulated by Stephen A. Smith’s memorable line: “He’s averaging 40!”
One of Smith’s few good catches wasn’t an exaggeration either, Harden was the offensive engine in Houston, leading the league in scoring and controlling nearly every possession for the Rockets. In OKC, he would have stayed behind Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook in the pecking order, with fewer touches and less freedom. He still could have become a star, but maybe not the Hall of Fame status we know today.
For the Thunder, keeping Harden probably makes them more dangerous in the middle of the 2010s, but leaves them in a weaker position today. With Durant, Westbrook, and Harden all growing together, OKC spends several seasons as a top contender, making deep playoff runs and pushing teams like the Spurs and early Warriors out of contention. At the same time, that success likely means they never fully rebuild, so they do not collect as many draft picks or land young talent like Shai Gilgeous Alexander and Chet Holmgren. In that alternate timeline, they are better in the short term, but would they still be the force they are today?
The Warriors dynasty probably still exists, but it is less dominant. Golden State’s core of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green was strong enough to win a title even before Durant arrived. However, an OKC team with Durant, Westbrook, and Harden would have been one of their main obstacles in the Western Conference. LeBron would’ve definitely beat the Warriors at least one other time in the finals, further proving his G.O.A.T status. Would the Thunder have been an obstacle for LeBron?
Instead of long stretches where the Warriors breeze through, we likely see a tough series against the Thunder. The Warriors still win championships, but perhaps with fewer rings. Would Curry be considered the greatest point guard without the help from Kevin Durant.
In this world, Oklahoma City probably wins at least one championship with the trio. They had already reached the 2012 Finals with their stars still very young, which shows how high their ceiling was even before their primes. If ownership keeps the core together and the rising salary cap gives them room to pay everyone, that group would get multiple chances at a title. They could catch an older Spurs team at the right time, beat the Warriors in a year when injuries or matchups go their way, or outlast LeBron’s Cavaliers in a hard fought Finals. Maybe they only win one title, maybe they manage two, but they almost certainly avoid being remembered purely as a franchise of missed opportunities.
