ESPN Insider: Rockets are considering offering a "monster deal" to James Harden?

Harden

I like James Harden but I don't think he is worth the MAX I see him more as a number 2 option in a champioship team... Even if the Rockets sign Harden they still would be a superstar away from being NBA championship contenders...

 

Disagree on the former, agree on the latter.

Harden's disappearance in the Finals had as much to do with the refs jumping on him. He was taken out of his game pretty quickly. I believe without apologizing that King James' first ring was already sized before that series even started.

That said, Harden doesn't come across as Alpha Dog, so acquiring him means, as many have pointed out, that a second All Star (Harden ould become an All Star if given more of the spotlight, whether he wants it or not) must be coaxed into playing here. This is a little more possible with the 4 NY and LA teams having no more cap space for such players; but damned if I know who it'd be (Josh Smith being a good but not a great catch).

 

Harden just isn't a superstar. Lamb's ceiling is higher than Harden's insofar as he's taller and longer (more defensive upside, will be able to score against a wider variety of defenses [we all saw how Harden performed against the athletic and aggressive Heat]).

His value will shrink if the NBA is serious about these new penalties for flopping, and the only skill he holds that Lamb will have trouble developing is Harden's ability to pass in the pick and roll situation.

Harden is like Eric Gordon (an undersized scorer and decent passer), and really only deserves the kind of contract he got, but will receive more money by virtue of being healthier and more exposure.

I see Harden getting max money, but going back to AZ or some other mediocre team where he's the difference between the 8-9 seed and the 5-6 seed.

 

Here we go again.

 

honestly, i get that some of you guys like Lamb etc and don't like Harden... but calling Harden "a decent passer" is like saying that Yao has decent height.

 

James Harden who?

 

Daryl "Mediocre" Morey.

 

Harden won't do any good as number 1 option + he's not a player you build your franchise around but I'm sure next offseason we'll go after Paul, Josh Smith, Harden and others. If we get a big guy first like Smith, putting Harden next to him would be nice but no way he's worth the max.

 

0 chance of getting Paul. If we can get Jsmoove and Harden that would be great but one of them would not be good enough.

Lin
Harden
Parsons
Jsmoove
Asik

is a pretty good team. Not a contender but maybe a second round team.

 

I believe he's restricted this year, UFA next. They can match, trade whatever AFTER they make their run towards a hoped-for June Parade. It would take absolutely unforseen events to change OKC's thinking before they score their last bucket.

 

If they match, they would need his consent to trade him for a year. That is a risky move if they can't afford him for a year.

 

They don't have to go through the actual legal procedure the way the Hornets did. The Pacers "matched" Hibbert too, but in legal sense they didn't and can trade him.
Either way, it's all moot because they can afford him.

 

I count 61 million among 7 players. He will put them in the luxury tax area or they will have to amnesty Perkins. Perkins is a lot of salary to eat considering that they would still need to get a backup center and those guys aren't cheap.

 

I'm not sold on Harden. Like has been said, his efficiency will go down if the league is serious about cutting down flopping. He is also not a leader and disappeared in the playoffs. Don't think he is a guy the Rockets should build around.

 

yes, i mean with a Perkins amnesty.

Frankly, we are now talking about how much money Clay Bennett has saved up and how much of it is he willing to spend to keep a star, which we just don't know.
We are talking 17.5 mil amnesty fee here, spread out over two years. And considering someone is sure to pick him up off waivers, it's more like 13.5 and under. Would Bennett be willing to spend that? I don't know, but it's not that big a price.
Besides, they can always add a pick or two and look for takers, if that price is too high.

 

Asu James Harden! Not worth max but if Gordon is he will.

 

I thought i would never say this but i think okc feels that they found something in Perry Jones!! He's looked very good, could very well replace harden for a heck of alot cheaper

 

Where did the article said that Houston was interested?

A super star is a super star. With such much cap space, I wouldn't see why Rockets were not interested. Is it overpaid? Yes. But it is just like the Asik deal and that's how you going to get the players to come here for the first place.

 

Harden isn't really first option material...

 

Come on now.... Harden is no superstar. He is a very good player and probable multiple all star, maybe one or two all nba caliber player but thats it. Basically a Joe Johnson. His best upside is maybe Manu(unlikely in my opinion) but even peak Manu was no 1st option(due to not being able to play the minutes mostly).