If Harden leaves the Nets he's yet again proving he's doing all he can for the Rockets franchise. A true Houstonian and man of the people. A consummate professional as well.
Apocalyptic scenario: Harden wants to play with Green and Sengun, considering coming back to Houston...
Being mildly serious: What if he wins a championship in BKN this season, and then decides he wants to come home to Houston (because he enjoyed living here so much) Continuing the fantasy, assume we flipped Wall of Russ and bought him out, and sent out EGO and DJ for expirings. We could offer Harden a max without surrendering any other assets... Assuming we get a top 4 pick from this seasons tank, there is some serious asset base to build a contender!! Harden gets to play LeBron style franchise saviour (we just say NO when he asks management to sign Russ)
Man, can BR hire some editors please? The first sentence says he doesn't like "living" in Brooklyn as compared to..."living in Houston" - totally understandable, people have preferences. I don't think there's any gentleman clubs of note in BKY, e.g. But it actually doesn't say "living in Houston" it says " days as a central Houston magnate" - which is just a totally weirdo phrase, is there some god-emperor class of Galleria<->Downtown magnates i don't know about? Then Outside of the change in climate, the chasm between state taxes in New York versus Texas is quite obvious as well. First, the "change of climate" doesn't flow from the prior sentence, you have to just say "htown is warmer" - second, I can't think of a clunkier way to compare the tax burden (if that even is a consideration?) than writing "the chasm between state taxes is quite obvious as well". Also, finally - if he likes Houston because it's cheaper and warmer and more magnate friendly - shouldn't he be angling to come here rather than... Philadelphia, which is none of those things? Wall for Harden confirmed right?
James Harden is pushing for the Brooklyn Nets to trade Kyrie Irving to the Los Angeles Lakers for Russell Westbrook. When asked for comment, the acerbic Harden told penguin shaped reporter Ramona Shelburne; "I know what we need." Spoiler: YAR!
Harden bolting to Philly would be sooooo good. We should offer to facilitate in any way that we can. Even if that means taking on Tobias Harris. Those picks could be a potential treasure trove.
Westbrook's $47 million salary would still count against the cap even if the buyout happens. You would then need to send out Gordon, DJ, Wood and possibly Theis with no money coming back to offer Harden a Max contract. Then it would pretty much be Harden and a bunch of players on rookie or minimum deals.
I hear you, but no need to overthink this and end up with a crappy contract. Just sit back and watch them implode. The die is already cast.
A. Are you sure that is how a buyout works? Players can restructure their deals if they agree (ie make his 2023 salary only $5m guaranteed) OR B. Russ could take a full buyout on the current season which includes waiving his option for next year. We're living in fantasy land, so let's pretend B happened
Are we really sure Harden leaving BKN helps our picks? Committing ~$110mm to 36 yr old Harden and 37 yr old Durant could also back fire massively. Harden has been amazing, but he also has a lot of miles on him. By 2026 (our last/best shot at a top pick), they might actually be able to build a better team around KD without Harden taking up $55mm of cap space.
