It's not really accurate that literally every day that goes by lowers the return you can get. It's all about when and where there is leverage. If OKC had shopped Paul George at the trade deadline the prior year they probably wouldn't have gotten close to the haul they did from the Clippers a few months later. The Clippers made that trade because they were desperate and it meant getting Kawhi or Kawhi going to the Lakers. We gave up too much for Russ because we were desperate. KD and Kyrie both only have two years on their deals too. If KD plays well but the Nets fall short and didn't get Harden because they wouldn't include enough draft comp several years down the road and and KD says he'll sign an extension if they trade for Harden but if they don't he's out after the season, you don't think the Nets will pony up big? And with the Spurs, they got a paltry haul in part because they wanted to remain competitive and they also foolishly didn't want to deal Kawhi to their "rival" the Lakers. If we get a great offer now then great, take it. If not there's no particular reason we have to trade him this minute. That's basically KOC's point and I agree with it.
I never made the point that every trade literally devalues over days at a time. Nor do I believe all players devalue over time as a rule. There are exceptions and outliers to almost everything. I also didn't argue the rockets HAD to trade harden this instant or even this month or year or ever. My only disagreement with the article and point was, if the rockets plan on trading harden, they are likely to acquire a bigger return if they do so before the end of this season as generally two years of harden under contract is going to be more valuable to other teams than one.
I think we might have to prepare for a season where we still have Westbrook and Harden has left. There's simply no market for WB and by himself he might generate some buzz if he shows he can carry a team. Harden is out, no way he's still here by the start of the season.
*sigh*, I remember when the shoe was on the other foot and we were the team fleecing all of the other teams and got to watch all of the amusing Morey related vids/gifs. How times change
