Yeah... but the Rockets don't have to make a move right now. They have Harden locked up for at least 2 more years. The last year is a player option, but at this point, wouldn't be surprised if its an option he takes - $47 million. In short, Harden can't "hold the Rockets hostage" really. He could become disgruntled, but for a dude with no ring, with not the "best" universally beloved reputation, I don't think that does much for his persona. Now they can't really just trade him out of the blue to any ole team. Well, they could... again that team would have him locked up for 2-3 years. But to the extent they consider it, i think both sides would have the ability to massage the list of teams Harden would be happier about going to, to the extent there are at least competitive packages with what you note, and you can then play them off each other. Remember, AD got a competitive package in return from LAL, even though they basically knew he would ultimately sign there anyway. In short, if Philly REALLY wants Harden, then if its not Embiid+Simmons, DM needs to know, as I'm sure he does (I'm sure he knows what Stone and/or Tillman would want in return), that the Rockets will need more than just one of them plus some crappy picks. The only caveat to this is DM knows something about Tillman that makes it more likely they'll move Harden for whatever... not sure what that is... but it is somewhat odd this report is even out. If Philly is REALLY wanting to aggressively pursue Harden, then it implies DM thinks its possible in the first place.
This is great. No one else in the league would pay what Morey will for Harden. Let him put up regular season numbers over there. Give us picks.
If Harden goes will the fans follow? There would have Fobbs some sort of boycott or something to get this clown to see that team. this would NOT be good. Nobody Philly has is even close to Harden’s talent. Losing a decent coach , a pretty damn good GM and then one of top 3 ALL Rockets ever not to mention too 5 NVA player now!!! Allllll bad
With that pick, absolutely. We've got so much burn out of Harden already, it's time to switch up our identity a bit. With that said, without a home run type deal, I'm willing to see one more year of Harden/Westbrook under our new coaching staff. Only the two LA teams and Brooklyn are more top heavy with talent.
Yeah absolutely, i mean, aside for Harden opting in, i pretty much agree with everything you said here. My guess is that the Rockets would eventually settle for one of those packages that got used often lately though, multiple picks (maybe with no protections) and swaps for many years plus Simmons or Embiid, and maybe other pieces like Thybulle, Richardson...or swaps between players in order to help Tilman save some money. At some point that might be a good enough offer i think, if anything, good enough to make someone else (Ainge) up their offer.
i don't know who that is, but Philly could very well be planning for the long play to get Harden a year plus from now. If things turn sour in Houston the over the next 18-24 months, I don't see that player option as incentive enough to keep Harden here, which puts the rockets in a place where they need to get something for him rather than have him walk for nothing.
Harden isn't going anywhere obviously. Morey wouldn't leave 40 million on the table and quit, even if he doesnt like Tilman.
I'd do Harden for Simmons..... you worry about Russ afterwards. A 24 year old 6'10 point forward who can average a triple double and be all team defensive? But we aren't trading Harden....
I follow Rockets period. MDA was meh ok, no elite coach "won't make substitutions or adjustments" especially in the playoffs. It was time to move on anyway. Essentially MDA was like "You can't fire me! Because I quit!" lol That's why he is assisting the last player he rode the coat tail of. Morey was good while he was here but he is gone. He's made some mistakes too. Not once did the Rockets look like the 2000's Suns. I wouldn't worry about it because Harden is going nowhere.
Why wouldn't he? He said clear as day in the 76'ers press conference that he can't work under "my way or the highway circumstances". Some people value less stress than money. Morey is a MIT graduate he's not some athlete that has to worry about his body giving out. He is smart enough to make that 40 mill up. I see his reason, having worked with people like Tilman in the restaurant industry.
What does that mean? Is TF looking for a better offer? Ownership and management need to come out very firmly that James Harden is not available in any trade whatsoever.
I think he's saying that at least for now Harden won't demand a trade. In another post he said Harden in Houston is just like Kobe in L.A, he can see James staying here for his career, getting paid etc.
They did. Maybe not directly but when reached for comment they said something about a "non starter" if they are asking for James Harden.
With no live fans this year anyway, it might not matter to Tillman if he loses all the season ticket holders by dumping every significant contract on the team and operating at the salary floor to save money. I certainly wouldn't put it past him. Oh what a dark world that would be.
Let's hope for the best. Perhaps they are saying Westbrook and others are available, but the return has to be good for us.
