This was posted over two weeks ago by one of the NewsOK.com writers: Spoiler <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Kevin Durant going through an intensified workout with Russell Westbrook this morning. Foot clearly progressing <a href="http://t.co/pMbTTeCMVQ">pic.twitter.com/pMbTTeCMVQ</a></p>— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) <a href="https://twitter.com/anthonyVslater/status/623169145597591552">July 20, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
I think everybody's waiting on Kobe to Leave before signing with the Lakers.That's probably why management want him gone after the season.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Kevin Durant dismisses 2016 FA talk. "I'm just trying to go out there and not get cussed out by Russell Westbrook." <a href="http://t.co/75XmvP1K6d">pic.twitter.com/75XmvP1K6d</a></p>— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) <a href="https://twitter.com/BenGolliver/status/631207095296069632">August 11, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">KD: "No disrespect to anyone else but I feel like I'm the best player in the world."</p>— Vincent Goodwill (@vgoodwill) <a href="https://twitter.com/vgoodwill/status/631564440115150848">August 12, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">If Durant does a one-year option with OKC next year, and then signs a max deal, he'd make $244 million over six years. CHACHING!!!</p>— Kelly Scaletta (@KellyScaletta) <a href="https://twitter.com/KellyScaletta/status/631451733617586176">August 12, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
I wonder how many Laker fans are talking about Harden coming back home once his contract is up. I can easily see him leaving to LA when he is 28 and in his absolute prime. Morey locked him up good and on the cheap. Again, thank you Morey.
I'm sure they might be talking about that, but I don't think there is a very good chance of that. I think it's more likely that he takes the absolute max and stays on what will still very likely be a contending team as opposed to taking a LOT less to go play in LA.
I don't see harden leaving Houston. First off houston isn't OKC, max level free agents don't typically leave their current team to begin with and especially not ones in mega city and big markets like Houston. Second the rockets have made this his team since day one let him pick what players he wants (Ariza,Lawson) while also going after every big name free agent out there. What player doesn't like that. Third and most importantly the rockets can give him a 5 year almost 200 million dollar deal when he's 28 no other team can touch that. Harden IMO is not turning down two 200 mil deals in less then 4 years to go to a avg lakers team at best when he can be in Houston competing for rings and have his money too.
Dang 4th?! <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">2 seasons ago, <a href="https://twitter.com/KDTrey5">@KDTrey5</a> was MVP. This year, Summer Forecast projects the <a href="https://twitter.com/okcthunder">@okcthunder</a> F as #4 in race. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ESPNForecast?src=hash">#ESPNForecast</a> <a href="http://t.co/d3GumxST0d">pic.twitter.com/d3GumxST0d</a></p>— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNNBA/status/634408625486843904">August 20, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
One thing Morey has consistently proved is that he'll get a meeting with the star free agents, and he'll put on a very detailed, slick presentation that highlights how Durant would be used with the Rockets and how that would lead to numerous championships. We'll get a meeting with Durant, and then who knows. If Clint develops well, maybe we sign and trade Howard with every team who will have max room available and misses out on the only two stars on the market. That could gain us good pieces, draft picks, or both, and open up the room to sign Durant outright (I think depending on what they took back, paging BimaThug). I'm sure Morey also has a tidy list of targets (likely undervalued by the current team) at center whom he could acquire. A team with Lawson, Harden, Durant, Motiejunas, improved Capela\other free agent or trade target would be incredible. We'd also have quality depth and could easily trade some of it as Morey sees fit to tweak the roster. If Durant is looking to leave OKC and join a true championship contender, we are one of the few destinations available. So we have a shot. I really hope OKC sucks this year. I hate the Thieves and root against the team anyways, but if it prompts Durant to leave and join us that would be the most awesome icing on the cake ever!
Why would either Dwight or another team with max cap room ever agree to a Dwight S&T? That would only benefit the Rockets. Dwight can't make more via S&T, and the other team would be giving up assets for a guy they could just sign outright.
Thanks for all you do. A contending team with less than max cap space and some assets that thinks Dwight can put them over the top could do it. The benefit of a sign and trade for Dwight is if he likes the other team and there's not way to get there otherwise and that team is willing to pay max, when other teams with cap space (or even the rockets) might not. I actually want to keep Dwight. I don't think his foot is in the grave as much others seem to think. I guess we'll get a better picture this year.
So he could maintain his bird rights and sign for bigger annual raises and a longer contract? I'm not as up on the new CBA so I might be completely wrong there. As always, I bow to your knowledge here. I don't think the Rockets would get a huge haul either. But maybe a team gives up some picks, pick swaps, or a young non-blue chip asset whom Morey thinks would fit well in our system. I could see Morey extracting some assets out of this scenario as opposed to letting Dwight walk for free. I am not advocating getting rid of Dwight by any stretch of the imagination. I'm just saying if Morey could sign Durant (and he agreed to sign in Houston), a sign and trade with Dwight would be an especially feasible option as a means of opening up cap space. Of course this is working off my possibly very flawed understanding of the new CBA.
