Wonder what OKC's plan is with him and Ibaka. Link: http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/8...homa-city-thunder-says-expects-sign-extension
If this were a story about the grizzlies, it would be slanted so differently. This is the most diplomatic slant to a player's contract I've seen. Everyone knows that the thunder is about to be in cap hell, but rather than do what they did to the grizzlies: speculate about trades, they say "some wonder ..."
I figured as much. Other teams probably won't get the chance to talk to Harden next summer. Not as sure about Ibaka. Even Eric Maynor, their backup PG who most people don't know much about, indicated he's willing to sign an extension this summer and sacrifice money to keep things together. I thought for sure he was a goner. But the bottom line is all this nice talk by Harden doesn't mean anything until a new contract actually gets done.
The difference being that the Thunder just made it to the NBA Finals while the Grizzlies got beat by the Clippers (with CP suffering an injury) in the first round. The result of their seasons are slanted differently.
the thunder played 3 teams that were past their prime and then they get to the finals and win 1 game against the heat. Hell, the pacers, and boston won more games than the mighty okc won in the finals. That alone should tell you how weak of a team they are. The thunder (and spurs) were lucky that the clippers and the grizzlies beat each other into oblivion. They were the only teams that could beat the thunder.
Yea! Spurs beat Clips easy cuz we soften them up first! We good! Yea! Gay on Durant's level! Gay better than Durant's level! We better than OKC's level! Yea!
Thunder should keep Harden despite his poor showing in the finals. The dude is young and will only get better. I'm betting he'd kill in the pick-and-roll if OKC could pick up a talented scoring big to pair him with.
It's funny how the biggest homer on this board, isn't even a homer for the team that this board is catered to.
i always knew Harden was gonna resign there he will probably take a LOT less money too, to make sure Ibaka stays Guy is an unselfish player to a fault, and doesnt mind coming of the bench when he could start on a LOT of other NBA teams( like the Rockets). Harden is like Manu Ginobili in so many ways.. intangibles off the charts
It's refreshing to see some players have loyalty to a team, but then again he is young and as they keep winning he won't be unhappy coming off the bench but if they start losing then him or Westbrook are going to be the first to go. OKC is my next favorite team after the Rockets.
I'm sure Harden is pretty happy in OKC, but... What else do you expect a player going into the last year of his rookie scale contract to say? That I prefer not getting guaranteed money a year earlier than I could and go into restricted free agency instead? There is simply no upside to saying anything other than "I love where I am and plan on signing an extension if and when one is worked out." Also, I doubt Harden gives OKC a discount. Given his numbers, the max contract is probably already underpaying him.
This about sums it up IMHO. Sure Harden's saying the right things now, but realistically how much can OKC give both him and Ibaka? Harden's willing to take a paycut to be with his "brothers", but is he willing to sign at half price or less? We'll see.
Yep and before that they were down 14 going into the 4th against Dallas at home when OKC was up 3-0 in Game 4...
I wonder, if KG retires from playing in Boston, if the Celtics might take a run at Ibaka. Assuming everyone remains in place: Rondo Allen Pierce Ibaka Bass wouldn't be terrible.
