A couple of them were 3s, so what four more? Still a nice, low number and in the range I'd like to see ideally.
It's like our fans are becoming the non-Rockets fans when he was here, like they don't know the credentials he carries. So criminally underrated by damn near everybody when he's unquestionably top 5 player of his era and one of the greatest scorers who ever lived.
all these offers being discussed for James Harden are insulting for a player of his caliber and not realistic dudes on here talking about offering him 30 mil/yr or a Team Option…”washed” 1 legged Harden signed for 35 mil/yr last offseason, but the much better version is gonna sign for even less 33 y/o CP3 got a 4/160 deal from us, and if he was on the open market, several teams would have offered him the same thing a star isn’t taking some TO so that he can just be dropped and have to scramble for some money in their late 30’s
i mean embiid is locked in his super max extension that he signed that kicked in this season. His PO isn't an option until 2026 when he's 32. By then you're already going into thinking about rebuilding with his wear and tear 3 years from now. And this would be whether or not Harden is there or not, who is older than he is.
When was the last time a legitimate star impact player said I'll do a team option lol. That's as outdated as the rockets practice facility. Pj Tucker even has a player option in his deal ffs
Harden is getting paid the Super DUPER Super Max regardless if it's here, Philly, or another team desperate to make a splash (and there will be a few for sure, and Harden is by far the most attractive FA this Summer). The only question should be is Harden coming here to be more a Jason Kidd/Mavs type of leader/non first option scorer, or is he coming here to cook for 20 seconds of the shot clock every possession. I am one of those people that believes it's worth it to pay him with the agreement that he can be a leader, vet, and a help to the younger players. Playing a similar role he's playing now with Philly if even that in a year or two. Working on his spot up 3 will be crucial. A team like say... Portland... would be paying him that much with the expectation that he can be Houston Harden again at least for the second half of the season/playoffs. They'll pay that Super Duper Max with the hope he can be that player. The Rockets should not look at it that way, and I don't think they will. With Houston in this role, he'll be overpaid for his expected production, but that is also a big huge Thank You from the city for what he gave us prior, and what he means as a face of the franchise. You'll be paying him for breaking more franchise records, etc. too. I'm honestly okay with that.... and I think next year he can still be an all-star caliber player too, and get the Rockets in the playoffs potentially. Play in would be a guarantee.
the only thing I can think of is 36 y/o Chris Paul signing a 4/120 deal to stay in PHX, but PHX can waive him after the 3rd year when he’s 40 years old and that 4th year then becomes non-guaranteed But a star of Harden’s age and caliber? Sounds like a complete pipe dream
I also think if Philly wins either of the next two games, Harden is running it back with Philly/Embiid for at least 1 more year. It would have to be one hell of a "personal reason" for Harden to leave after having found this good of a fit next to another star, and be this close to a championship.
I think you underestimate the West and how hard it is to crack the 6th seed or 5th seed. Okay, well it may be, I just assume you are correct. Harden is a chapter of its own, you never know with him, is he getting lazy in the offseason now that he is getting paid? It all depends on how he works out, winning a championship or not, winning at least the WC trophy. Houston has great night clubs and strip joints.
I actually agree with this too tbh. We're not getting back prime Harden dropping 40 points back to back to back, we're getting back a top 5 playmaker and distributor who can still throw out a monster game every now and again. We're also getting back the biggest star since Dream, who gave us years of absolute elite play. Put that max contract on a super in vogue pillow and get the hottest strippers you can find to deliver it whilst Lil Baby sings in the background, bring that mu****er home!
cp3 still has fully guaranteed trigger dates in the summer before free agency starts of the corresponding 3rd and 4th season of his deal. I was more referring to team option clauses where a player is literally at the mercy of the team at any point of the year to be dropped. I couldn't think of any
NBA estimated salary cap, 2026-2027: $155M Trailblazers' roster, 2026-2027: Damian Lillard, age 36, $63M+ James Harden, age 37, $50Mish rest of roster, including 3 starters, < $42M Kinda insane move for them to bring in Harden, if you ask me.
This team is not ready to compete even with Wemby. Udoka needs to clean house and do a major culture reset, we're 2 to 3 years of being serious. Hopefully he gets us a Phil Handy type developmental coach.
I meant to say that CP3’s deal was the only thing I can think of that even comes anywhere close to such a thing, but yeah, a team option isn’t something a star is gonna entertain having in their contract
I LOVE Harden, but the only teams glad about that CP3 deal we signed are OKC and GSW. I'm super mixed on him coming back and that doesn't mean I don't appreciate what he did or still has left. Even in a really strong series for him v. Boston right now, he still has had two atrocious playoff games and looked like he didn't want to touch the ball in the 4th quarter last night. I'm a huge Harden apologist, but it isn't like it is a slam dunk no brainer decision if he wants 4 years at big bucks. The version of this that goes bad looks a lot like what happened with CP3 when we have to unload assets to unload the contract.
the only reason they unloaded assets w/ cp3 to get westbrick the worse player was because the rockets have a dumbass owner. When that's the actual problem well, your team is fcked regardless then and why so many are in the right to doubt things will be done the right way moving forward. A smart owner doesn't do what he did. You instead use those assets correctly to improve the perennial contender in hand rather scraping the bottom of the barrel for scrubs hoping and praying they take min and non guaranteed deals. And at that same time believe these scrubs are good enough to actually have an impact to raise the ceiling, which they did not and never did. it's that simple
Do you think we can contend for a championship with Wemby his first couple of years in the league? Or if not are you banking on Harden still being good at age 36/37? Just curious as to your thoughts there. Something I go back and forth on myself.
I think it’s backwards If we get Wemby Harden is less likely as we would have our “Star” if we flop in the lottery… Then we “Must” make a splash signing Like I said earlier the lottery is going to clear a lot of things up
