If we traded for Harden, would Durant come here?

[Monkhouse]

Before this starts any flame wars, because I know 50/50 of this blog is dead set on not trading for Harden, but Harden/Durant could be 1A and 1B, with Harden definitely knowing his role, and being okay with being the 2nd guy as opposed to Westbrook, who plays like he is 1A sometimes.

This is just a hypothetical question. So if we got Harden for like IT+AB+3 first round picks, a few second rounders/cap filler, would Durant want to come to Boston?

If we had Harden/Durant as our scoring options, I would be okay with trying to make Crowder or KO as our 4, Smart as our PG, and finding a cheap defensive center that can rebound and affect/block shots. I think the problem with OKC isn't their ball handlers, or offensive scoring options, but the system that Donovan/Brooks has implemented, and doesn't allow much for ball movement. KD may never ever score over 26 in Steven's system, but like Harden, would average over 6+ assists.

[moiso]

I don't think Harden would agree to be option 1b for another 5 years or so.  It's pretty apparent he wants to dominate the ball and take all the shots and throw away all the razors.

[Monkhouse]

I don't think Harden would agree to be option 1b for another 5 years or so.  It's pretty apparent he wants to dominate the ball and take all the shots and throw away all the razors.

Don't know if you're stating this as a biased opinion, but Harden has and always been okay with coming off the bench when he was at OKC. He just wanted more minutes, plus a hefty pay check, and OKC wasn't okay with doing that, and felt that defense was their calling card, (despite having 3 players that could be top 10 in scoring,) and made the most monumental mistake of letting go of Ibaka.

I can't see any reason why Harden and Durant couldn't get along. If we traded for Harden, and Durant came here, they both would have to understand our offense and how we run our system. I think high scoring is overrated, and having 25 pts with averages of 6-7 assists is more impressive than 30 pts with 3-4 assists. Getting your teammates involved, and making plays leads to more stronger chemistry, and trust in each other to be able to make and take shots respectively.

[moiso]

He was coming off the bench because he was in the process of establishing himself.  He is way beyond that now.  I think with his mentality he is going to want another couple years with a total green light to ball hog.  I really don't think he is ready to fit in to a team concept.

[KG Living Legend]

 I started a similar thread and nearly everyone slammed the idea, not sure how you slam any idea that land us Durant. You can always trade Harden later, people just love are high character scrubs

[moiso]

I would love Durant but I don't see Harden as the kind of guy to tempt him to come to Boston.

[KG Living Legend]

 Read people trashing the idea here.

 http://forums.celticsblog.com/index.php?topic=84019.msg2071561#msg2071561

[86MaxwellSmart]

Harden is the biggest Ball Hog in the league...Durant already has one of those in Westbrook....Doubt it would be a selling point.

[moiso]

As former Rocket Robert Reid said this week- "Harden is out for Harden."

[jpotter33]

I mean, if it got Durant here long-term, then you have to do it., though it probably costs virtually all of our assets to get him here.

But I disagree with the original premise. I don't think Harden would settle for being the 1B option. In fact, I think the dynamic would be similar to, or even worse than, the Westbrook/Durant dynamic. Last night, Westbrook missed more shots than KD took, and I think that's still an issue he'd have playing with Harden, too, i.e. terrible decision-making.

I think you need to pair KD with guys clearly a tier or option below him, like Butler, for him to really shine. Then he can get as many shots as he wants every single night, and he could maximize his potential as a dynamic offensive weapon.

[moiso]

I mean, if it got Durant here long-term, then you have to do it., though it probably costs virtually all of our assets to get him here.

But I disagree with the original premise. I don't think Harden would settle for being the 1B option. In fact, I think the dynamic would be similar to, or even worse than, the Westbrook/Durant dynamic. Last night, Westbrook missed more shots than KD took, and I think that's still an issue he'd have playing with Harden, too, i.e. terrible decision-making.

I think you need to pair KD with guys clearly a tier or option below him, like Butler, for him to really shine. Then he can get as many shots as he wants every single night, and he could maximize his potential as a dynamic offensive weapon.

Exactly.

[celticmania]

I wish we got James Harden in the Kendrick Perkins trade instead of Jeff Green.  Imagine where are franchise would be at this stage.

[greece66]

Harden is a top-10 player, the idea of getting him only for the sake of getting another player is absurd.

[Celtics4ever]

Harden also does not play D.   He has poor leadership skills as well.   Not the type of guy I think we want in the long run.   That being said, he would be an upgrade scoring wise to what we have at guard.  I do not think IT and he would compliment each other well.