Executives and agents in Chicago are buzzing about the future of the Philadelphia 76ers. The team’s firing of Doc Rivers Tuesday morning had several league sources in Chicago cautioning that James Harden’s much-rumored interest in returning to the Houston Rockets may not be such a shoo-in with Rivers gone in Philly. (To be clear, Harden and the Rockets remain very much interested in the concept of a reunion, sources said.) How does Houston losing out on Wembanyama and falling to No. 4 impact their potential pursuit of Harden? Winning the lottery would have reoriented the entire franchise around Wembanyama — perhaps reducing their interest in Harden. Does dropping to No. 4 enflame it? Time will tell. Remember: Houston owes a top-4 protected first-round pick next season to the Oklahoma City Thunder, so they have some incentive to improve fast. —Zach Lowe/ESPN (via hoopshype)
I'd want Harden to help improve the young team but not replace any of them in a trade for him. Or trade the pick/ Amen for him, as he's not a young established star anymore. He'd have to take an appropriate contract for his age and role at this point, no longer a max player imo.
I'm confused, are you expecting them to go from 20 wins to contender in one offseason? I'm not for or against Harden coming back, just depends on what better options available.
Pros: Harden will run a much better system and distribute to give better opportunities to the young guys. He costs nothing in trade. He has worked with Udoka before and has an idea of what he wants. Cons: Jalen is his wing man at the club and he's in it for the check and comfort... slacks off on defense and becomes a bad contract... If your options are Harden or pay 3 old guys like Markieff Morris 15 million each just for culture, I would rather have Harden. Those aren't the only options though...
Taking this conversation point over from the Wemby reaction thread: Look... the issue with the Rockets "reputation" as stupid as it is, has to do primarily with the unpopularity of James Harden. These 19 year olds like Wemby only really know the city of Houston, and especially the Rockets because they grew up with and associate all things Houston with Harden. I'm not saying we shouldn't look to sign him... we should on the right deal, and with the right role in agreement.... but the Houston Rockets franchise would be in such a different place in the minds of the NBA world if the Rockets were able to carve out a better identifying figure for this team. If Harden is coming back, I want him to be viewed like "look at this unselfish veteran leader getting the ball moving, encouraging the young stars, etc." The Rockets have a reputation problem... earned or un-earned, and my theory is it all revolves around the ignorance of young players only really associating the Houston Rockets, and the city of Houston in alot of ways to James Harden's unpopularity with the douchey ESPN talking heads like Richard Jefferson, Jay Williams, etc.
Why are you confused. I was challenging the poster who wanted Harden to help us raise our winning from 30 to 40. Nobody expects them to go from 20 wins to contender in one offseason. That's why signing Harden makes no sense. Only a win now team needs a player like Harden.
Because if he gets us to 40 then Green figuring it out a year later gets us to 45, then Jabari/Eason improve and we get to 55. This also leaves out the possibility that Harden recruits someone to join him. Again, not set on him returning, but give me the better option... Running it back and not using cap space isn't a better option in my opinion. If Middleton will take 18 sign me up... I'm skeptical...
U grab harden so we can start winning and play an actual offense ran by an actual pg. Now we can't even draft Scoot, what's next overpay for an inferior pg just to not grab harden? Gonna suggest running it back with kpj as pg?
Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden intends to decline his $35.6 million player option to become an unrestricted free agent this summer in order to secure a long-term deal, league sources tell Bleacher Report. Harden, 33, took a sizable pay cut last offseason to help the Sixers build the roster out. The guard will now be seeking a four-year contract. The 10-time All-Star is coming off a year averaging 21.0 points, 6.1 rebounds and a league-leading 10.7 assists. The Houston Rockets have long been a rumored destination, but sources say Harden will only entertain suitors that present a competitive roster and the basketball freedom for the star to be himself, sources say. At the moment, the Sixers are the only logical option, coming off a third-place finish in the Eastern Conference in the regular season. But the dynamic in Philadelphia will undoubtedly change next season, considering the Sixers have to find the right coach after dismissing Doc Rivers. If Houston is all in on a Harden reunion, it will take some roster reconstructing to entice Harden. Houston has a promising young core that includes Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr. and Alperen Sengun, along with the No. 4 pick in the upcoming NBA draft, but the team tied for the worst record in the Western Conference last season (22-60).
we've been a "lose now" team for 3 years bro. And we got Jalen DIDDLY and Jabari SQUAT to show for it and Amen/Cam JACKSHITNOTHING on the way. I don't have that many years left! The Colorado River is running dry! Katy is evacuated due to flooding. Let's bring back the Lord Har-God and let him sort it out.
We are the LAND OF THE BASKETBALL FREE - it's just the first part that's a challenge other than Boban.
Look, I think Amen Thompson is likely a lesser Ben Simmons and he has a high chance of washing out of the league entirely in just a few years, but if it came down to picking up Harden on a 4 year deal or drafting Wal-Mart Ben Simmons, I'm going with the latter.
