I had to rewind twice to make sure Les said what I thought he said. This is easily the best Rockets news of the summer.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">From a pure CAP MANAGEMENT standpoint, Harden extension was a bad move. But the NBA isn't just numbers. This was a STATEMENT to the league.</p>— David Weiner (@BimaThug) <a href="https://twitter.com/BimaThug/status/751865569415016450">July 9, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Next year we are projected to have around 10 million capspace. But on the other hand it will be easier for Harden to go to a meeting with a good FA since there will be no questions of his own commitment to Houston.
Harden pretty much saying he is committing to the Rockets. Great sigh after a summer of stars moving team.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Rockets projected cap breakdown (with the James Harden renegotiation). <a href="https://t.co/z2SwWvHxhV">https://t.co/z2SwWvHxhV</a></p>— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) <a href="https://twitter.com/BobbyMarks42/status/751865167588261889">July 9, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
From a numbers standpoint, yes it was a bad move. But this is not about numbers, this is about setting up the team for the future. Gives us an extra year to build around Harden and shows we are committed to our stars. Morey and the Rockets have seemed to learn this offseason to treat players less like assets, which I'm sure is more inviting for future players to sign here.
So the Rockets lock up a superstar for one more year, and Harden gets paid a ton of extra money on the front side by agreeing to that extra year, while setting himself up in a good situation after that extra year. While I'm glad to have him locked up for that extra year, I certainly don't see this as him buying in. This was a business choice.
Because there is something called a Salary Cap. Look, overall I'm still happy but when I initially heard the news I thought it was an extension which translates as his salary for the next 2 years would stay the same.
This probably explains Goudelock cut, Rockets need every penny if still want to sign D-mo. How much cap room do Rockets have left to spend now?
This is why I made the point during Durant's whole thing that if he really wanted to stay he'd had sign an extension a while back. I was right then, he was looking to leave OKC and he had entertained that idea. Right now Harden is the opposite when it comes to this, he's not looking to leave Houston and he's given the organization every chance to build a contending team around him.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>From a pure CAP MANAGEMENT standpoint, Harden extension was a bad move. But the NBA isn't just numbers. This was a STATEMENT to the league.</p>— David Weiner (@BimaThug) <a href="https://twitter.com/BimaThug/status/751865569415016450" data-datetime="2016-07-00T19:48:15+00:00">July 0, 2016</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
100% correct HeyP...the reason for the structuring of this deal is so he will qualify for the 10-Year Vet (Tier 3) max contract and make even more $$$ once he opts out. Same reason why many felt KD would have stayed in OKC on a 1+1 deal so he would have qualified for the Tier 3 max contract.
The best part of this move is next offseason we can tell players James is locked up. He will opt out in year 4 and get a 5 year max this prevents the 1+1 benefit and allows him to get a full max here rather than equal 1+1 elsewhere. Brilliant move. Will pay dividends. I love showing stars loyalty.
