John Granato: Raptors & Celtics favorites to land James Harden

That’s why none of this makes sense. The guy wants to win and had specific demands. What makes you think he wants to play for those teams? So he wastes 2 years of his prime for what? I would think that without his preferred destinations he would stay. Let’s face it Boston and Toronto aren’t winning anything next 2 years barring the acquiring another major star. Just odd to me.

 

I’m not even convinced we would get both

The Raptors roster would be Lowry, Van Vleet, Harden, and Baynes. What is even the point for Toronto?

 

I know I’ll be. Many seem giddy about Siakam tho

 

Nobody said it will.

Question is, if it doesnt happen why trade Harden?

Does this team with Brown and 3 20th round picks sound like a contender to you?

Meanwhile Harden and Tantum in a Celtics uniform........ what is our goal to make them a contender?

 

Tatum aint it. Boston ain’t it. I would think Houston would want at least Tatum in return. That team has nothing else desirable.

 

Once you find the trade partners, break it down for James.

Then tell him to extend or get traded.

 

Harden doesn't have a no trade clause so Houston can trade him wherever they want.
The grass isn't always greener.

 

Most of these trades are absolute no brainers for the teams potentially getting Harden. The East is wide open.

Boston should be all over this. Pairing Tatum and Harden makes them significantly better. The media has brainwashed casual fan bases. Harden is a top 20 all time player still in his prime with 2 years left on his contract. This is a unique opportunity for buyers.

If we have to trade him I’d accept Brown and some combination of their collection of first rounders.
Still want to see Harden with this group and make him give it a shot. His value will only be higher at the trade deadline if still necessary.

 

Because he wants out. I'm not sure why that's hard to grasp.

 

Anything the Rockets get for James Harden is not going to add up to a James Harden on the court. Most of us have come to the realization and have tailored expectations to that fact. If Harden is traded, Rockets will just be a team that is fun to watch that hopefully might make some noise.

Rocket will go to a franchise that enjoys the development of Wood and Silas and hopefully the resurgence of Wall and Boogie.

 

Yes, Siakam is only marginally better than Ro-Co.

 

This. Plus whatever young guy we get back.

I should say that watching Francis and Mobley in the early days was as fun as any other period for me. Potential is fun. Of course that was only half a decade removed from championships. Not 25 years.

 

Just averaged 26 10 & 5 in the playoffs is a 2 way player, 22 years old and 3rd team all nba. Outside of Luka who else under the age of 23 is a better prospect? If he ain’t it, who is lol

 

The only truth is: if there is a "bidding war" the price will only increase. Morey can be dismissed from his intentions to haggle.
Brown, Smart and two or three first-round picks for Harden sounds like a very good deal for both teams.

 

I think those two teams are very different tbh, Toronto has pretty much nothing left if they trade for Harden, Boston has the chance to make a trade and still have two great players surrounded by a very good cast and depth, especially if they move Kemba they could extract value and depth from that move without losing pretty much anything since Harden would also replace Kemba by default. Look at this:

Thompson (or Turner)
Tucker (or Aaron Gordon)
Tatum
Harden
Smart

If Boston want they could get this team happen easily. I actually think they could get both Gordon and Turner if they want since they also have that huge tpe, fwiw.

 

That is a good point.

 

As crazy as some Miami "We cannot give up Tyler Herro" fans are and some "Tobias + picks" Sixers fans are, the Celtics fans really seem to be the worst about ridiculously overvaluing their own players and undervaluing Harden. It would be kind of funny if they had to flip-flop but they honestly don't deserve Harden. I'd be more entertained if they get swept by the Raptors or someone else who gets him, so long as whatever trade we make turns out good for us.

 

Still think it’s Simmons or Miami

 

Hou out
Harden
Clemons

Den out
Murray
Barton
Porter Jr