trade ideas for Ray to get Harden

[winsomme]

For me, the only trades that I'm really interested in in regards to the draft are ones that target either Rubio or Harden.

Trading Rondo to get Harden doesn't seem like a great idea because of the hole that would be left at PG and two SGs who you'd really want to play a lot. and trading Ray to get Rubio doesn't make sense because then you have Rubio and Rondo.

Many (including myself) have thrown out Rondo + Ray deals to get vet + a top pick back. We've also seen a lot of trades moving Rondo to get a top pick. But to me those only make sense if the target is Rubio. Ray and Harden on the same team doesn't really seem to maximize potential for a very important next season.

So my question now is: how would we trade Ray to get Harden (keeping Rondo)?

The biggest problem I see is that you probably need to get at least to #4 to get Harden and maybe as high as #2 to ensure that he is there. but none of those teams would be particularly interested in Ray.

That leaves us with three way deals and possibly WASH as a mover looking for a vet.

Here's one shot at it with pieces that have already been discussed in other trades:

BOS gives: Ray, JR, future #1

MEM gives: #2, Jaric, Darko, Buckner

WASH gives: #5, Etan, Mike James, Songaila

*************

BOS gets: #2 (Harden), Mike James, Jaric, Darko

MEM gets: #5, JR Giddens, Etan, Songaila, future #1

WASH gets: Ray, Buckner

We end up with three bench players that could get PT and Harden - who basically would have to be ready to play at a high level right away.

Rondo/James/Jaric
Harden/Eddie/TA
Paul/Walker/Hill?
KG/Scals/Leon
Perk/Dice?/Darko

any other ways to get Harden with Ray?

[Change]

James Harden is probably going to have a more memorable career than Blake Griffin. I wonder if he can play the point. If Ainge wants this guy 4 Rondo. Our starting lineup would be sick.

Harden
Ray
Pierce
KG
Perk

[winsomme]

James Harden is probably going to have a more memorable career than Blake Griffin. I wonder if he can play the point.

Harden
Ray
Pierce
KG
Perk

I don't think so. His game actually seems very close to Pierce's. And his body is perfect for the SG position.

[KungPoweChicken]

I'm a big Harden fan too, and if Memphis wants to shed a little extra salary, this would be a great move for all three teams. The biggest question of this hypothetical trade is this: Who is Memphis targeting in the draft? If it is a guy that would most likely be available at five, then this trade is great for them.