What's the best deal someone could offer for Harden in the offseason?

I would take that deal.

 

^^^ if that pick means Ben Simmons.

 

James Harden is consistently good but has an occasional bad shooting night like last night. Yet, he still manages to contribute by getting assists and rebounds. The rest of his teammates are consistently bad to average but occasionally have a good game. No one on the team other than Harden is worth their contract, particularly Howard.

Trading Harden would be a dumb **s move! Morey needs to bring in talent, guys that can shoot the 3 if he wants to play this type of basketball. He also needs a coach that teaches defense.

 

I guess I'm the only one here thinking this is an absurd trade on Boston's behalf?

Give up 3 of the better draft picks in recent memory (Brooklyn honestly are not improving much anytime soon) + get rid of their two defensive guards.

Morey would honestly be laughed at for suggesting this trade.

You can absolutely guarantee that any GM who gets a whiff of Harden being on the trading block - will be lowballing.

This isn't the same situation as when he left OKC. Teams KNOW the talent he has. So if he's being put on the trading block they sure as hell know as well there's something seriously, seriously wrong.

EDIT: if I'm Morey, as soon as the draft order is announced I'm calling that GM straight away and offering Harden for that #1 pick and Ben Simmons.

 

Yeh, Capella, DMo, Thornton, all neg value contracts... smh....

If you haven't realized it let, its not about coaching - its about desire.... and lack thereof...

 

I believe the phrase "cutting off the nose to spite your face" is appropriate here.

When Harden is having a rough night, or has a defense that is successful in making him struggle, Its very hard for the Rockets to win just as its hard for you to breath without a nose if you don't know how to use your mouth correctly.

Trading Harden would be pretty freaking stupid... unless he's leaving in free agency THAT YEAR, and this team has no chance at winning in the playoffs. There is no way around that conclusion. You aren't getting ANYONE out there that puts your team in a better position to win in the next couple years. That's a fact.

What's the best you could get???... Do some homework yourself and see what has resulted back from superstar trades in the past.

The best trade in recent I see is Dwight Howard to the Lakers with the Magic getting back -

-Vucevic
-Afflalo
-Denver 1st (turned into Payton)
-2nd rounder (turned into Romero Osby)
& Harrington & Harkless
& moving out some salary (Richardson I believe)

That's about as good as you can do in a superstar trade based on recent history. Two decent starters, some cap relief, at least one good pick, and maybe another prospect.

In other words.... Harden is better to keep. Thread closed.

 

Harden is not a player that is going to 'work within a system' - he's someone you build a system around - he is an 'all in' option... if you attach your cart to him, know you are going as far as he takes you... it ALL hinges on him.

The question you have to ask yourself is:

Will Harden DECIDE to give the focus and devotion to the game that is required to win a championship OR is he going to continue to party, live the superstar lifestyle and be more focused on outside endeavors?

Consider the 'devotion to the game' we've seen from people like MJ and Kobe... both on the court and off (ie conditioning, focus, etc...)

If you think he will 'see the light' and devote himself, then you keep him...

If you think he is who he is and 'those that matter dont mind and those mind dont matter'... then he's fools gold who will tease but never deliver a championship...

So before you call trading him "pretty freaking stupid" realize its not a question of talent - but motivation...

 

Randle and whatever pick the lakers end up with most likely #2

 

Teams aren't dumb. The longer this goes on the more hardens value drops

 

Great points. Right now, he's getting paid max money plus he has a massive new endorsement deal. Only reason for him to put in the work now is to compete for a title and be in the conversation as an all time great. He fell short in the conference finals last year and he finished second in the MVP voting. For most championship caliber superstars, this would light a fire under them and they would come back even better the next year. I just don't see that fire in Harden.

 

Get a start in return, not a potpourri of crap

 

Also, look at the trajectory of the teams that have parted ways with their superstar.

DWill - Utah has had 1 + .500 season since the trade, and are still struggling to be even mediocre (although Gobert has been injured this season).
Melo - Denver had 1 great, overachieving season post-Melo, but since they've been a Lottery team and are looking at least at a few more years of poor to mediocre play, although Mudiay has played quite well and Danilo has really bounced back.
Howard - Magic are FINALLY showing signs of life, 4 years later, and even now they appear to simply be an average team, albeit a young and growing one.

Although Harden will net you more than DWill, Melo, or Howard, it's unlikely your trajectory will be much different. BUILDING THROUGH THE DRAFT IS DIFFICULT. You could be looking at 5-10 years of mediocre or worse play. Do you really want to go from WCF to lottery team just because Harden is having a bad defensive year (offensively he has it most nights)? Come on, man.

 

It's a ton to give up, but then the rumor was that Ainge was willing to move something like 6 picks to move up in the draft this past year but couldn't get anyone to bite.

I think its enough value that you might actually do that trade if you're Houston.

Another similar type trade could be something like:
Noel, Saric, Landry, Sixers 1st this year, Sixers first from the Heat, Thunder

for

Harden, Ariza, Rockets first.

Leaves the Sixers with the pick owed to them by the Lakers (top 3 protected this year and next though), and makes them immediately competitive in the East.

 

The chance that someone gives us the #1 pick aka Ben Simmons for Harden is zero.

 

Lovez it!!!

 

thread/

 

as much as i ~do~ love james, and as much as i hate the lakers, something about him being in purple and gold seems "right". maybe someone needs to slap me.

 

We have Harden for two more seasons after this season. Dwight may be gone after this season. If we can't put together a team this summer that is a true contender, then we need to trade Harden while he still has value. The Rockets have traded superstars in the past, and sometimes it's for the best.

 

Do not trade Harden. Work harder to figure out the pieces around him, including coaches.

 

This, it would seriously hurt their roster and future imo. The defense those two give is extremely important given their roster mix and starting five.