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08:05 AM ET 12.12 | The Thunder traded James Harden to the Houston Rockets in October, but he could have landed in a different city entirely. The Washington Wizards turned down a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder for [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.

James Harden, Icon Sports

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December 12, 2012 08:54 AM ET

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He was not willing to commit because he learned his lesson from Arenas

JIGSAW

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Comment #2 has been removed

December 12, 2012 09:15 AM ET

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QUOTE(#2):

Originally posted 08:56 AM ET 12.12 by G-B

Smart move. You finally learned from the Agent 0 deal. Why give up 2 young players for an overpaid player? Harden is worth it but not for the Wizards.

Harden is no Agent zero... this is just a case of a cheap owner.

Lostwill

Natick , MA

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December 12, 2012 09:44 AM ET

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Smart move.

copperfiend

Jacksonville , FL

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December 12, 2012 10:08 AM ET

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It Wouldn't Have Mattered Anyway, Bro.

I Love LA

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December 12, 2012 10:09 AM ET

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Not like it would have made a difference... Harden couldn't bail out the Wiz.

wend28

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December 12, 2012 10:36 AM ET

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QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 09:15 AM ET 12.12 by Lostwill

Harden is no Agent zero... this is just a case of a cheap owner.

5 years, and we finally agree on something. Harden is a long way from Arenas.

Hllywd: Olskool

Columbus , OH

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December 12, 2012 10:53 AM ET

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Harden would have loved the check, but hated what he would have to go through to earn it. Funny, I bet that sounds a lot like what many of us do all the time.

rlejr66

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December 12, 2012 11:00 AM ET

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QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 10:36 AM ET 12.12 by Hllywd: Olskool

5 years, and we finally agree on something. Harden is a long way from Arenas.

Here's a drink to that... we made it. Can we get a refund from those divorce lawyers?

Lostwill

Natick , MA

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December 12, 2012 01:38 PM ET

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QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 09:15 AM ET 12.12 by Lostwill

this is just a case of a cheap owner.

We are talking about the same owner who (usually) signs Ovechkin's contract. So, no, it's not that. I think he didn't see the potential for a big return at the gate or impact on the W/L record to trade young players and spend big money for the "sixth man of the year".