Even though this is essentially a one year extension, this makes me happy. Harden should feel like this organization is truly committed to him and I believe he does. Let's see what Morey and company can do to put more pieces around him. I'm excited for the future of this team.
I don't want to be a debbie downer. But, what if this signing was Harden just wanting to score as big a contract as he can thinking that maybe 2014-2015 was his peak? Is there any possibility that could be the case? That we won't get a constantly improving Harden but a plateauing to regressing Harden for the next three years? Hopefully this is just my Houston sports pessimistic view that comes with only one conf finals in ions. Just wondering out loud.
That's awesome, I wasn't expecting this. But he can still ask to be traded. Hopefully he retires a Rocket...with a championship.
Getting the most money possible is clearly playing a role in this choice. But we're now talking 3 years. He isn't gonna waste 3 years of his career looking forward to his next team. This gives us a window with Harden to build something. Otherwise the next 2 years were looking like complete purgatory until Harden signed a 1+1 deal with another team.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">HOUSTON = HOME<br>Let's Go!!!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rockets?src=hash">#Rockets</a> <a href="https://t.co/6B8NH7Bp5X">pic.twitter.com/6B8NH7Bp5X</a></p>— James Harden (@JHarden13) <a href="https://twitter.com/JHarden13/status/751902918337556480">July 9, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
I'm one of the people that thought he'd run to LA at the end of his contract, but man this is awesome news. My respect for him has grown further. Like others have said, hopefully it means Morey has shared the blueprint and Harden likes what he sees. Lets go Rockets!
But the first part of the statement didn't occur, so logically the second one couldn't follow Like saying "the Heat would've beat the Raps if they had Bosh back for the playoffs" But neither of those happened
This also makes it harder for another team to sign him when he opts out because his maximum contract amount with be higher and that last year the Rockets can add will be an even higher amount. Doing this also will allow Harden to make significantly more than had the Rockets not renegotiated. I am sure that the Rockets also hope the goodwill and fact they have made it clear this is his team will play in to his decision in 2019. Also I think "buy all in" may be a strong statement, but he is obviously not itching to leave or he never would have agreed to add another year in his prime to his contract.
The good news - we have one star locked up for three years. The bad news - we will probably have to let DMo go and figure out a way to move Brewer, Beverly and Ariza to sign another (assuming we need $30 million in cap space on a $102 cap next summer).
Why are people so concerned with flexibility? If a max FA wants to sign with Houston, forcing us to find new homes for Brewer/Ariza/Beverly, it's likely because we had a very good season. If we had a very good season, then you'd assume that Brewer/Ariza/Beverly at least had seasons that didn't entirely tank their trade value, so trading them shouldn't be an issue. Also, if we had a very good season and are looking at max FAs, then missing out on 1 wouldn't be devastating because THIS ENTIRE SCENARIO IS PREDICATED ON ALREADY BEING A VERY GOOD TEAM. Also, as Feigen mentioned, you likely don't get sit downs with a majority of the FAs next year if Harden isn't locked up for at least an additional 2 years. These guys aren't dumb - why do you think Horford passed on OKC?
This a great move for both, Harden and the organization I feel much better about Rockets future now, removes a lot of uncertainity. And the best part we dont have to read crybaby comments about Harden leaving next year
I don't think the Rockets chain of thought went away from the idea of having a big three. If by any chance it's available or obtainable, you can best believe they will try to make it happen. They will continue to try. But until then they have play the hands that's dealt to them. And that's build around the Superstar they have.
