Rockets want a young star and massive package of picks for Harden

Sure Durant is one of the most skilled player in the NBA(and IMO the most gifted scorer of all time) but what made him special, other than his shot, is his mobility and athleticism at his height. He's a 7 footer that moves like a guard. Can he go back to that with an injury that severe? Or is he going to be a gimpy 7 footer with bad lateral movements now? 7 Footer with that kind ofshot making ability is still a great player but thats not Kevin Durant anymore.

 

Yes, Harden's value is more than that...

But you are not getting equal value in this landscape.
Lakers-Pelicans deal just lined up perfectly. Pelicans wanted Zion and Lakers wanted AD an AD wanted to go there.


Anyways, thinking about it...it's the same deal.

Ball and Ingraham didn't have that much value then, Ingram had his breakout season for them but was looking like a bust on the Lakers. Ball and Ingram were still top 5 picks.

The Pelicans still in the end turned out to get three top 5 prospects and that's why they are in the position they are in.

Brown + two top 5 picks is the same deal the Peli's got. The only difference though is that Zion was one of those top 5 picks.

I get that. I get that drafting Lamelo isn't as sexy as Zion, but you can get three great prospects on your team. I think Lamelo is one of those guys too where he has a really low floor but a really high ceiling, same with Wiseman...

the problem I have with future picks is we have no idea what that pick will be. What if Minny messes around and makes the playoffs?

I'm really not that fascinated with 2022-23-24-25 draft picks. I'm more about getting good prospects here right now, throwing as many out there possible, seeing if any can be franchise players or flipped for better prospects and repeat. It sucks, but that's the reality of rebuilding.

 

Basically, Harden is up for auction to the highest bidder. Houston has the luxury, if they have the will (guts), to sit back and wait. Let teams around the league up each others offering.

If Stone plays it this way, the chances are decent that someone's offer rises to the the Rockets expectations. Assuming that is something like (4) 1st round draft picks, an up and coming star and an established borderline all-star type, at least Houston would have the basis to rebuild quickly and maybe even be a fringe playoff team immediately. Add to this anything they can get for Westbrook, Tucker? and what we already got for Covington, and the cupboard (first round pick stash) doesn't look so bare anymore.

 

why wouldn't he. he was never the most athletic nor the fastest. he uses actual elite skills to become to player he is not physical athleticism. he has the natural gift of length and height. that doesn't change

 

When you are blowing the team up, your first concern shouldn’t be about now.
Brown and two top 5 picks is a slap in the face offer. It shouldn’t be accepted period. There would need to be at minimum another young player with potential and 2 additional 1sts. Or 3-4 additional firsts.
Accepting that offer shouldn’t be on the table and isn’t anywhere close to what AD got

 

And both Ball and Ingram were highly thought of prospects.

 

think the issue here is you're holding ball to a higher standard than what he really is. and if boston offered that package, it isn't as bad as you think at all.

 

That isnt even what Jrue Holiday got.

 

It is as bad as it seems. That isn’t an offer that is worth half of Harden. Jrue got similar offer.

 

did the pelicans get 2 top 5 picks?

 

I can't recall immediately but did the pelicans get 2 top 5 picks? off the top of my head I would say no

 

All 1st round picks are not equal. In the NFL, sure, but in the NBA, consider the top 5-7 the actual first round and after that things get shaky and teams are just throwing out wishes and prayers that guys can even contribute.

Top 5 picks are diamonds in the NBA, they are only given up for all-stars usually, like you see what happened with Davis.

Denying two Top 5 picks (+Brown) just to try and get some more mid round or late-round picks is looking the gift horse in the mouth. We can get those from EGO and Tucker, sometimes you can even buy them. You can flip a role player for these picks easy enough, contending/playoff teams are always looking for role players.

The only reason these top 3 picks are being shopped around is because these three guys, Edwards, Lamelo, Wiseman, are super risky guys with lots of bust potential, especially Edwards.

If this were the 2003 draft then no one would give up their picks.

Brown has great potential himself, you pair that with TWO other top 5 picks, you do it in a heartbeat. Yes, I know, Lamelo as your future star doesn't inspire confidence but we don't have any options here. We're never getting equal value for Harden, it isn't possible.

 

They got 3 1st's and pick swaps.

New Orleans receives

2020 1st (via IND)
2024 right to swap
2025 1st unprotected
2026 right to swap
2027 1st unprotected

— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) November 17, 2020

 

so not top 5 picks.

 

"The Pelicans have agreed to a deal to trade Anthony Davis to the Lakers for Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, and three first-round picks – including the No. 4 overall in 2019 Draft, league sources tell ESPN"

Two former top 5 picks (in Ingram and Ball), Hart.

Plus 3 first round picks, one which translated to the first pick overall (Zion).

 

Pre injury Durant was one of the most mobile 7 footer in NBA history. When was the last time you saw a 7 footer play 2 guard in the NBA? He didn't have Giannis type jaw dropping athleticism but Durant's mobility, speed and lateral movement at his height was really special. We'll see if Durant can get back to his former glory. If he comes back a Stiff, he's just Steve Novak with better handle.

 

people expecting this guy to have the mobility of cousins all of a sudden are kidding themselves.

 

that's not what i asked. They were talking about the Jrue trade

 

2 are unprotected (see edit above).

New Orleans receives

2020 1st (via IND)
2024 right to swap
2025 1st unprotected
2026 right to swap
2027 1st unprotected

 

Jrue is definitely baseline.

But Harden is easily closer to Davis' level, albeit a little older but more proven accolades.