I say we give Durant our fair shot but I am not banking on it... We should really consider not wasting our time and go all in on Harrison Barnes! Thoughts? 2016-2017 Bev Harden Harrison Ariza Dwight/Capela
Barnes would fit nicely next to Harden. improving all around player and showing to be more than capable in handling a bigger role.
He's going to get overpaid if in a position like ours. Plus the Warriors might still match a max deal anyway. Yes, it's too much, but the Warriors are a historically dominant team, and absent a real shot at getting Durant, if they win a second ring in a dominant fashion, certainly not unreasonable to see them keep Barnes at the max. Going after that 3rd ring, on an all time dominant type team, would be really hard to pass up, luxury tax be damned! Finally, keeping in mind that Ariza, though without the upside of Barnes, is still similar and a solid compliment to Harden, has 2 more years at a GREAT contract, and I don't know why we'd even consider it, unless we move Ariza to fill other needs. PG/PF ... it's been the same issue for years, and remains so. Bench obvious, but upgrading PG/PF helps make bench deeper. In a league where centers mean less and less, seems we address that by moving Dwight. If I'm chasing someone not named Durant, at a max deal, I'd rather chase Mike Conley.
The teams that find the Harrison Barnes, not the ones that pay them the max, are the ones that succeed long term.
If they break Barnes off, they will isolate themselves out of depth in the coming years because they will have to Pay Stephanie the next year and none of the other players are signed beyond this year. http://hoopshype.com/salaries/golden_state_warriors/
I cannot fathom why Kevin Durant, who hasn't won a championship and who everyone in the league will be wooing with a max salary, would even entertain coming to play here, especially after this season and the complete uncertainty it portends for the Rockets' future.
Sure, but they'd have Barnes, Curry, Green and Thompson locked up, and could go as far into the luxury tax as they want to keep other existing players. Then there's the issue that the salary cap could be north of $105 million in 2017/18 (and a similar increasing luxury tax). They'd still be in the luxury tax realm, but not as painfully so. The real issue would be how much they value Bogut/Iggy/Livingston and how to replace them, and whether or not to sacrifice Barnes in order to keep that depth. Or how to replace that depth when they are capped. It's a tough choice, and they have to see how this season plays out anyway. I think it's an easier call if they don't win the ring this year, as some change would be needed anyway.
Those three you rattled off are what takes this team from being elite to dominant. If they lose those guys, the starters will be on the hook for more effort and you'll see a residual effect. The depth is what allows them to play the way they do. I think they let Barnes walk and try to find someone similar in the draft or at a lower pay grade. Curry must get the max..
Barnes and Durant are at different timetables. You are NOT wasting your time going after Durant except if Durant plans to make his free agency a marathon. Barnes can sign an offersheet after the moratorium ends. By that time Morrey will have plenty of time to speak to him after Durant has made his choice. What you can miss of by going after Durant is Batum, Dwight himself (depending on the situation), Whiteside, Derozan etc etc.
Btw I don't think paying Barnes 22-23 per is a good idea and I hope Morrey doesn't sign him. He is not an elite shooter, he is not an elite defender and he is not a good creator.
Do we have to go down this road again. Remember we paid ariza after the Lakers won a championship. Their system is great and they have athletic players but lol at throwing that money at barnes
