Lol, I doubt they remember or even know the history of the player you're talking about Regardless great history lesson (on Malone), if Houston trades Harden, history won't repeat finding another Hakeem (also, having two B2B #1 picks 83 & 84 to do it). We might as well watch the 76ers at that point (I wouldn't, but you get my point).
And that would good for Harden and the 76ers. I would think the most important thing is what we get back and how we move forward.
We didn't trade away a championship however, that type of thinking just isn't correct. I don't know... CP3, Reddick, Gordon, Ben Simmons, and Capela would be interesting.
You're right, we didn't trade a chip away but we also don't know what would have happen. Back then with no lotto/silly player alliances a lot of things could have happened. I mean knowing what we know now, we probably could have traded Sampson (assuming the Malone trade happened) to get Jordan at the 2nd pick. There's all kinds of unknowns, obviously it worked and Hakeem got the B2B and the 2nd one with Drexler (to redeem that bs college chip). But I don't know if trading an MVP in today's style of play is worth it , especially with Harden still being on board to be with Houston. I think since Harden and CP3 are one of the best backcourts ever you don't break it up in yr 2.
I'm against trading him but if we're still hovering over .500 by the trade deadline I would definitely be open to shopping him and see if we can get anything of value in return and retool for next year. I believe in the saying you are who you are...I hope I'm wrong and that with the standings in the west looking like a daily mess that the Rockets can still right this ship and play up to their potential and be like the the team they were last year.
I still don't believe this guy has regressed. It makes no sense. Physically he's BETTER than the past few years and why would he suddenly lose skill?
I would trade him for another PG and PF or wing player in a Miri player deal. A one for one deal won’t make this team better since theee are many holes to fill. For example, trading for Conley and a wing player. He’s every bit as goodjofna shooter and can dish, plus we could bring on a 3 or 4.
He has elbow tendonitis, that doesnt go way easy. These guys really dont get it, there arent any signs of him being physically declined.
It’s his SUPER MAX contract that is the problem; both size and length. Yes he is still a great player but I am not sure he is a super max player still or if ever was one. A 1/3 of the cap is a lot of capital to be given to an individual that is equivalent to a maximum contract & a starter’s salaries. Maybe 5 or so players warrant the super max, IMO. (He is not one of them, IMO). IF there is a team willing to take him on we need to move him so we can truly build around Harden.
I agree. At 33% of cap - a max player’s gotta produce. Much less show up for games. If not, or if there is any inkling of risk to health and production, why oh why do u give him the max for four freakin’ years???!!!!! Better standards of dollar value for production and durability are Harden and Ariza. Don’t even get me started on bad standards of dollar value for durability like Ryno (remember the finger incident? Then the back? Then the foot?) independent of what u thought of Ryno.
How exactly does trading CP3 benefit the Rockets? It’s not going to create cap space to sign a comparable free agent next offseason, and they would be trading the President of the Player’s Association the following season after signing him to a massive extension. That will make the team less desirable to any high-level free agent. Who in their right mind would willingly sign with the Rockets if they felt they could be traded at any time? Yes, the NBA is a business, but players value job security just like you and I.
2/3 of the cap goes to Paul & Harden... We are filling out the rest of the roster on a 1/3 of the cap. Of that 1/3 Capela is signed to a little less than 1/2. We have 1/6 +/- of our roster to sign and be completely competitive the REST of the TEAM. My point is there no money to spend going for free agents anyway. Then we hear about the taxes and trimming down the payroll. All the while the newest super max player plays games sparsely: injuries to his hand then his elbow after being suspended. It’s been a rough start.
Absolutely spot on. And unlike Chinese gymnasts, last I checked his “age” is also a known fact. When Morey awarded CP the contract he effectively MAXed out the available money.
Here are the things the Rockets will not be doing. 1) Trading Harden 2) Trading CP 3) Tanking with Harden/CP on this team. Anything else is on the table.
So basically 4 years of mediocrity and early playoff exits. The idea of trading for Melo when he was maxed was just a very dumb idea. Signing Melo for the vet min. when he was bought out was a great move; Anyone who seriously thought Melo would be an asset on the floor was a fool. It was a very low risk move, where at worst, we would waive him. Likely, we would trade him midseason for a second rounder. At best (and highly unlikely), he would adopt the system and perform like a superstar.(still laughing at that thought). However with CP3, it wasn't exactly a dumb move to sign him. But it certainly wasn't a smart move. It was a gamble that the Rockets took and every passing week it looks more and more like it didn't pay off.
As a fan, consistent early playoff exits is the worst scenario. With how lopsided the league has become, a 5th seeded team is closer, competitively speaking, is closer to a bottom team than a top. Missing the playoffs gives you a chance of getting into the lotto and a lower draft pick. I am not suggesting we should trade CP3 or tank, however I have no issues exploring these ideas. The reality is CP3 is not worth his value. The reality is GSW is not the team to beat in the coming years. By the time CP3's contract is washed, Harden will be past his prime. I have faith in Morey.
