James Harden wants new deal, wouldn’t touch him whatsoever
I know the Sixers were first round exits but they didn't make a mistake letting him go.
They didn’t really get anything useful for him and I think they would still be playing if he was in their team. So I actually think they did make a mistake. Especially when you consider how wide open rest of east became
I don't. But my point more so was not giving him a big-time extension when the time came for it. If the Clips give him it they'll regret it but I guess they don't have much of a choice with Kawhi locked in and George potentially leaving this offseason, possibly even to Philly lol (or Orlando)
I agree with you that if some team gives harden a high dollar extension it will be bad, but I also think there was a high opportunity cost here. Embid may have two or three more postseasons in him. In a very tight 6 game series I don’t know how someone could argue the upgrade from batum to harden wouldn’t have swung the series. Or maybe they win a few more games in regular season and are playing the Cavs or magic instead. Maybe harden would have refused to play or something but they basically punted on this year with that trade and worn Embid in his thirties now I don’t think that was wise.
I'm not disagreeing with you, but honestly for me I feel like everyone says this about Harden every year lol. And the same thing happens, his teams choke, Harden himself chokes, and we're back to square one in the offseason. If Harden is *that* guy then he should have helped George guide the Clippers past the Mavs. He couldn't do it. Couldn't help PHI in Games 6 and 7 last year. Had some chances in his peak with the Rockets but also came up short. Something would have happened or he would have created more drama if he stayed in Philly probably. His relationship with Morey seemed to also sour which was definitely a factor.
Sure, maybe he helps PHI win a playoff game or two. Sixers still lost in 5 games, so I guess instead they would have lost in 6 or 7? I think if anything, maybe having Harden around while Embiid was out would have kept PHI in the playoff picture and allowed them to avoid the play-in, but then again, do Maxey and some of the others grow and have an impact or do their roles diminish too? Maxey was huge for them in their only playoff win.