1. Welcome! Please take a few seconds to create your free account to post threads, make some friends, remove a few ads while surfing and much more. ClutchFans has been bringing fans together to talk Houston Sports since 1996. Join us!

[Grantland]The Harden Dilemma

Discussion in 'NBA Dish' started by da_juice, Oct 12, 2012.

  1. DonatasFanboy

    DonatasFanboy Member

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2012
    Messages:
    10,645
    Likes Received:
    504
    or this. this is something i'd absolutely do.
    ideally, they'd trade Perkins in July for cap space, but if a decent deal comes up where it's Perkins + low 1st for a slightly worse expiring player, I think they have to do it.
     
  2. da_juice

    da_juice Member

    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2009
    Messages:
    9,315
    Likes Received:
    1,070
    Could someone explain why Perkins would be the one that has to be cut? Wouldn't trading Aldrich for nothing and letting Daequan Cook, Maynor, and Thabeet leave in FA equal about the same amount as Perkins' contract?
     
  3. Mr. Clutch

    Mr. Clutch Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2002
    Messages:
    46,550
    Likes Received:
    6,131
    They should get rid of Westbrook to make room
     
  4. HI Mana

    HI Mana Member

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2006
    Messages:
    1,345
    Likes Received:
    903
    Because in 2013-2014, assuming Aldrich, Cook, Maynor and Thabeet are off the books, the Thunder will be looking at a minimum of ~$66M in salary BEFORE Harden signs his extension, meaning they're looking at a team salary in the $80M range if he gets maxed out, which would push their total team salary up near $100M when the incremental luxury tax is phased in. If Perkins' $9M salary is amnestied or dumped, they could get very close to the tax line.

    Most every analysis already accounts for the fact that the Walking Dead Sonics let these players go already.
     
  5. trowa

    trowa Member

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2012
    Messages:
    871
    Likes Received:
    11
    anyone think westbrook for rondo make sense?
     
  6. trowa

    trowa Member

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2012
    Messages:
    871
    Likes Received:
    11
    http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=97k39kh

    OKC new lineup:
    Rondo
    Bradley
    Durant
    Ibaka
    Darko

    Celtics:
    Westbrook
    Harden
    PP
    KG
    Fab Melo(?)

    win-win for both team.
    OKC finally get a pass first pg who will help KD and fully utilize bad offensive players like darko, perkins and ibaka. Avery bradley is also an excellent SG.(guarded wade well in the playoff)

    Celtics get new blood, two potential franchise player in westbrook and harden.
     
  7. A_3PO

    A_3PO Member

    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2006
    Messages:
    42,748
    Likes Received:
    6,122
    In addition to missing WB's scoring, the last thing a lightweight coach like Scott Brooks needs is a lockerroom psychopath like Rondo. Wouldn't work. A strong-willed coach like Doc and hard core vets like KG and PP can barely handle the nutcase.
     
  8. DonatasFanboy

    DonatasFanboy Member

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2012
    Messages:
    10,645
    Likes Received:
    504
    really, Westbrook+Harden for Rondo is a win-win for both teams? i like Bradley a lot, but ...
     
  9. trowa

    trowa Member

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2012
    Messages:
    871
    Likes Received:
    11
    rather than letting harden walk because they cant match, why not trade him for an elite pg? i mean, yeah, westbrook is an elite pg too, but okc free'd a lot cap space which is their main problem.

    maybe dump in a few draft pick if necessary.
     
  10. DonatasFanboy

    DonatasFanboy Member

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2012
    Messages:
    10,645
    Likes Received:
    504
    if they trade Durant for Millsap, they'll save even more cap
     
  11. AFS

    AFS Member

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2010
    Messages:
    3,776
    Likes Received:
    407
    OKC would be trade-raping themselves in that scenario. Westbrook and Rondo are both top point guards and I'd put Westbrook's trade value above Rondo's, given his age and his ability to never get injured. And then to throw in a top shooting guard as well? OKC would be much better off not making that trade.
     
  12. trowa

    trowa Member

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2012
    Messages:
    871
    Likes Received:
    11
    that is a lot of money to give harden a contract that is at least 10mil. sure, i think he deserves at least 10mil, but the team cant pay it. if they cant match, that just mean anyone can snatch him from okc. instead of letting him walk, why not trade him for a pass first pg in rondo?
     
  13. BigBenito

    BigBenito Member

    Joined:
    Sep 5, 2002
    Messages:
    7,355
    Likes Received:
    175
    They will match any contract and trade him if needed. (or sign in trade in the first place.)
     
  14. trowa

    trowa Member

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2012
    Messages:
    871
    Likes Received:
    11
    on top of that, also pick up avery bradley and maybe some picks?
     
  15. trowa

    trowa Member

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2012
    Messages:
    871
    Likes Received:
    11
    sign and trade is still a lot of money.
     
    1 person likes this.
  16. BigBenito

    BigBenito Member

    Joined:
    Sep 5, 2002
    Messages:
    7,355
    Likes Received:
    175
    depends on the team/trade. exceptions exist.
     
  17. trowa

    trowa Member

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2012
    Messages:
    871
    Likes Received:
    11
    ideally, thats what the thunder want to happen. but who knows, the thunder dont always have the leverage.
     
  18. DonatasFanboy

    DonatasFanboy Member

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2012
    Messages:
    10,645
    Likes Received:
    504
    or maybe they'll just do something smart, like get rid of Perkins and keep Harden
     
  19. Alvin Choo

    Alvin Choo Member

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2007
    Messages:
    3,466
    Likes Received:
    152
    At the end of the day its just results. If OKC goes deep into playoffs, they will keep Harden even if it cost them the tax. If not, or Harden did not play well, they will just trade him away.
     
  20. ROXTXIA

    ROXTXIA Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Apr 25, 2000
    Messages:
    20,123
    Likes Received:
    11,853
    Minus the chin-lashing flops of James Harden (which the refs allowed against the Lakers and jumped on against the Heat), I'm a fan of the dude.

    I would say OKC will keep him for the year, then sign him to a max or near-max deal in a trade to another team.

    Could that team be Houston? Morey's plan is Boston's old plan: develop and show off players for a big KG-type trade. Maybe Jeremy Lamb and another player or high pick will get it done.

    The Suns would be a player in the Harden market, too.

    It wouldn't make too much sense to keep three max guys in a small market, even one with great fans and following. The luxury tax would eat their lunch.

    Since they won't trade Westbrook, I'll guess Harden has one year left on the Thunder.
     

Share This Page

  • About ClutchFans

    Since 1996, ClutchFans has been loud and proud covering the Houston Rockets, helping set an industry standard for team fan sites. The forums have been a home for Houston sports fans as well as basketball fanatics around the globe.

  • Support ClutchFans!

    If you find that ClutchFans is a valuable resource for you, please consider becoming a Supporting Member. Supporting Members can upload photos and attachments directly to their posts, customize their user title and more. Gold Supporters see zero ads!


    Upgrade Now