Is James Harden a Max player?

Short answer? NO.

 

You have to give him the chance.

I say he is, it remains to be seen if he can carry a team on his own like a Max player would but you have to give him a chance to before you say he can't. Rockets can't exactly be picky.

 

He's going to get a max contract. I'm iffy if the Rocket should take a leap of faith and offer something. Not even sure if it's possible.

 

Somebody will overpay.

But no he is not a max player.

 

Yes and I would offer him the max.

 

He has it all to be a great one. The question is how much he wants to push himself, does he wants to remain being the third wheel? If he has the drive to push himself, I'd give him the max. It would still be a gamble because he's not at that level yet, but that's one risk I'd be willing to take.

 

Not the max. $10M is about as high as I'd go.

You just can't give the max to guys that aren't top 15 players, especially when they are backcourt players.

 

if he stays in okc, no.
if he leaves, yes.

 

I'm in the camp of people who think that given the opportunity, Harden would be a great player.

That said, it's chancy. You don't know how his production will translate when he's playing 36-40 mpg as a starter. There's risk involved, but it may be the type of chance that a team like the Rockets has to take.

I'd be more comfortable with something along the lines of a 4 yr/$48MM deal.

 

He will stay in OKC. Presti said he will go over salary cap if needed, too keep Harden and Ibaka.

 

It does not matter if he "is" a franchise player, a number of teams will line up to give it to him. He is young, and there are a number of teams with money or will have money. I can see Houston, Dallas, Nets, Portland, Toronto, Phoenix and other teams taking a deep breathe and throwing it at him.

 

Well no he's not a top 15 player but he's 22 and could develop into one.

It's risky, but if the Rockets ever want to get out of mediocre land they are going to have to take some risks.

 

That's easy to say, but would he match a full max salary?

 

That line of reasoning has accounted for 90% of the bad contracts in this league.

 

If they go all the way or at least get close to winning it all then that decision would be less difficult.

 

he is an Elite offensive player, one of the best scorers in the league.

but just how bad is he defensively? Kevin Martin bad? kind of worrisome...

 

Yeah? And what happens when he signs with another team and becomes a top 15 player? Meanwhile the Rockets are still afraid to take big risks and in mediocre still.

Point is, it is silly to say he can't become a top 15 player. IMO he's already one of the best SGs in the NBA at 22 years old.

 

James Harden is basically Ginobili without injury issues.

Max player.