The thing is, he is not a max level player, but that is what we would have to pay him. He's the type of guy if you already have a stud, you add him next to that player to get you up to contender status. He is not the type of player you build around. I say keep building through the draft the next few years.
Don't know about them matching a max offer sheet, but I don't see any way in which they trade him during the season. On the other hand, I could definitely a scenario similar to what we saw with Eric Gordon, in which NOLA was apparently considering doing a sign 'n trade w/ Houston, depending on the offer. Definitely don't see it happening, but I think him along w/ Lin would be a pretty nice 1/2 punch.
Close to fair at least. I'd try not to offer Lamb, but then the Dallas draft pick isn't much, and we could lose Martin for nothing after this year. However, this is the real world where salaries have to match, so they'd likely want to get rid of Perkins - I say likely because with Dwight in LA now, Perkins once again has some value to the Thunder.
I think you must live in OK. And trading Lamb before we see what he can do is r****ded with a capital R.
Why trade for him when he'll become an RFA in the offseason? We just saw Morey's mastery of the poison pill contract structure, what's to stop him from doing the same thing again? Giving up a pick and Martin is one thing, but why include a potential building block player on a rookie contract? So we pay Harden like a near-max player, taking up valuable cap-space, and we also give up our best young prospect on a rookie contract as well? Terrible idea in my opinion.
Eric Gordon didn't deserve the max either, but he got it. Lin and asik got a 3yr/25mil deal and they didn't deserve it yet. Batum got a 4yr/48 mil deal and he didn't deserve it. Players with potential will always get overpaid.
I was fully expecting to click on this thread and see the thread title end with the word Spoiler t*tties
I though ppp was only for players that are subject to the Gilbert arenas clause. Lin and asik were, but I don't think harden is. We definetely would have a much greater shot at keeping him if he was already here. Plus, harden and lin are a very marketable guard tandem.
THIS. Harden is just not the guy. His disappearance in the Finals worries me. Honestly, I cringed every time he took a 3.
It was once series. People have such short memories. He was amazing in ever other round of the playoffs but the finals. Matter of fact, the rest of his teammates weren't very good either in the finals.
Because you might be able to get another full season with Harden on the roster this year and lock him up essentially by giving yourself the ability to match any offer he gets on the market this next Summer. Even though Houston has the cap space next Summer, there still is the risk that he signs in Dallas instead... who knows. Its piece of mind. Look, Kevin Martin is not going to be a Rockets next year, and the Rockets will probably have multiple first round draft picks next Summer that will be buried on the bench behind the Rockets current young guys ahead of them. If OKC cannot workout an extension by October 30th with Harden, Morey should call and say right now I will give you- Martin + Toronto pick for Harden + salary filler or the February I will give you- Martin + the Dallas pick for Harden + salary filler Either way, me or another Gm will be offering the max to your 6th man in July. You can take this now, or you can loose him for nothing then to me or someone else. Your choice Presti. -From OKC's angle, if Martin is healthy then there is a chance that he might actually be an upgrade from Harden in the short term. Plus the Toronto pick should be welcomed with open arms by a GM like Presti. I dont think Presti will have a hard sell at the press conference welcoming in Martin as a 22PPG scoring machine and selling that first round pick while telling the crowd that Harden would not be here next years anyways. Thats a great deal in this scenario IMO for both teams.
Harden is a good player, a starter, but he is not a player you would give a max contract too. I see him as a a 2nd or his current status 3rd option on a team. I rather take my chances on J Lamb.
Dont get too excited we seen all this major talk about Houston doing somthin big and end up with nothin ....all im saying is I'll believe it when I see it
I really like Harden's game. But I don't think it's a good idea to lock down a secondary piece at max or close to max salary before we find a legit centerpiece to the franchise.
However, if you cannot draft a centerpiece, having an elite secondary player here is a great way to lure in a primary superstar. Once one or two dominos fall, we will be well on our way to contending.
one cause for harden's poor performance in the finals was because he was effing guarding lebron james to keep durant out of foul trouble. but i do agree with the ideas that the rockets should NOT give him the max and that in order for a team to get him you would have to pay max money. i feel like if harden was so great, then he would be starting regardless of strategy.
Why do people assume Harden is a secondary piece? He's only 22. Some guys that age are still in college. He is nowhere CLOSE to being done with his development as a player. He won't definitely develop into a superstar, but he has as good a chance as any 22 year old in the league today.
