James Harden has an interesting choice in front of him. He's clearly in a great situation in Oklahoma City, but the Thunder probably won't be able to pay three players max contracts and avoid the luxury tax.

So he could either agree to a below-market value extension now or wait until he's a restricted free agent and see what the market will offer him.

According to ESPN's Marc Stein, at least a few Western Conference teams would be willing to throw a max offer his way:

I know at least two teams near OKC (Houston & Dallas) that are huge Harden fans and will have cap space to sign him to loaded offer sheet

— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) September 12, 2012

While Harden wouldn't be the elite defensive center the Mavericks need to replace Tyson Chandler, he would be a star who could transition the franchise forward as Dirk Nowitzki gets older.

Thunder fans, don't say you weren't warned ...