Houston can not be an appealing FA destination given the reputation we currently have. It scares me what kind of FA we would attract as well. If Morey can't get Durant (whose addition I am not sure makes us a contender even by itself), I think it's time to hit the reset button. Let Dwight walk. Let DMO and Jones Walk. Let Smith and Terry leave. Firesale whatever you can with Ariza, Daniels, Brewer (we might be stuck with all of them though). Keep only Capela and Bring in a bunch of scrubs to play with Harden and let Harden have a year to learn what it's like to be the best player on the worst team in the league and see what that does for his endorsement deals. We should take whatever expiring contracts from other teams and Morey can flip those for picks. Use the year to develop young talent. Make Harden figure out how to lead by being the guy who has to teach the younger players. Then in 2017 with all that money and a high draft pick (maybe 2?), Morey can build his team by signing two FA's and using that lotto pick. Then you have your 3 star players plus a big-name rookie.
First of all, this is moot because Les has a stated mandate against tearing down for a rebuild. However, even if he could, the scenario you just laid out would not be rebuilding around Harden. It would be tanking with Harden and then giving him every incentive to leave as a free agent.
This should go in the Fantasy League forum, because Les isnt allowing this in the real world. He never has allowed tanking and he never will. Plus, this would cause Harden to bolt. Stop with these fantasy league ideas
I say, keep D-Mo, Beverley, Ariza, Capela & possibly Dwight. For the rest, I couldn't care less. We need a lot of fresh blood.
You only do this if Harden promises to stay when he is free agent. Doing this and then Harden leaves makes Les look like a fool.
I completely disagree. I mean Some might disagree with me, but who are Don't anyone try to argue these points either because So this isn't just some instant reaction. This is my assessment after watching him often.
He can't bolt in 2017. He is here until 2018 which means we have time to retool and build a competitive team for the 2017-2018 season.
It is not "rebuild" but "retool" (as Riley likes to say). They probably will let the FAs walk (to open up 2 max contract cap space) but I don't see the firesale part. They aren't going to tank. But they will "retool" around Harden.
At some point Les has to realize that Dwight isn't going to stay here, and KD isn't coming here either. Trying to retool around Harden this summer - how optimistic are you around that? I mean, what options does this team have to field a very good team in 2016?
HA. Good luck with that. If you think people are dying to come and play with Harden - you're in for a surprise.
I am not sure this logically flows..... How about instead we just try and sign a big name player in Free Agency?
i think there is real potential for the core and the young guys to stay: dwight-capela dmo-harrell ariza-dekker harden-KJ bev maybe pat and dmo are better off the bench. hopefully we can find starters there. but i would let TJ/josh/terry/beasley and goudelock walk. maybe dwight and dmo too depending on what they cost to retain as free agents this summer.
There isn't a free agent signing out there that makes us a contender. This team is more than one star away.
Yeah, OP says we are a sh!tty destination of FA as his opening paragraph. Then proceeds to say getting rid of everyone ala the '76ers is the way to attract top free agents. Completely contradicts himself. Makes zero sense except as a Fantasy League strategy.