Per FOS: Verbal Deal in Place btw BKN & HOU? (Harden)

[byennie]

Honestly, I'd love it. Sports are more fun when there's a clear villain.

[RJ87]

I'm really surprised Philly isn't more of a factor.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

This trade would not surprise me but it would frustrate me and remind all fans that a teams window is shorter than we think.

I'm not saying that the Nets are guaranteed to come out of the East, but I am saying that the league can change so much and just when you think your team is ready to take the next step, other teams can leapfrog you. There will be decision times in the next few years. I don't think the Cs are facing "now-or-never" decisions yet, but there will be. Hopefully when those times come, the Cs can make the necessary moves/advances to take their chance during their window.

[BitterJim]

Prediction: Fake news.

Agreed. The Stepian rule prevents teams from sending out enough picks to make their offer good enough.

If he's going anywhere, I would bet on the 76ers

[Tr1boy]

I'm really surprised Philly isn't more of a factor.

My guess is Morey and or ownership want nothing to do with Harden. Especially if it would take Ben to get him

[ChillyWilly]

What photos do you think KI and KD have of Harden that he turns down $50+/m a year after the NBA loses all that money. Thats some serious risk to me for a ring.

[byennie]

What photos do you think KI and KD have of Harden that he turns down $50+/m a year after the NBA loses all that money. Thats some serious risk to me for a ring.

I doubt Harden expects to lose any money in the end by moving from Houston to NYC and playing with Durant and Irving.

[RJ87]

I'm really surprised Philly isn't more of a factor.

My guess is Morey and or ownership want nothing to do with Harden. Especially if it would take Ben to get him

Morey basically took out a full page ad about how much Harden changed his career. I think Morey would trade for him again. If I'm Philly, I'd pull the trigger on a Simmons/Harden swap in a heartbeat.

[BitterJim]

What photos do you think KI and KD have of Harden that he turns down $50+/m a year after the NBA loses all that money. Thats some serious risk to me for a ring.

I doubt Harden expects to lose any money in the end by moving from Houston to NYC and playing with Durant and Irving.

Yeah, even the worst case scenario is signing a max extension next summer (or a max contract 2 summers from now)

He might lose out on $5 million or so a year, but it's not like he's suddenly gonna be playing for the vet minimum

[footey]

I'm really surprised Philly isn't more of a factor.

My guess is Morey and or ownership want nothing to do with Harden. Especially if it would take Ben to get him

On the contrary, I doubt Rockets owner wants to trade the best player in Harden to Daryl "I'm taking a gap week" Morey, LOL, and leave him up the creek without a paddle.

[PhoSita]

This trade would not surprise me but it would frustrate me and remind all fans that a teams window is shorter than we think.

I'm not saying that the Nets are guaranteed to come out of the East, but I am saying that the league can change so much and just when you think your team is ready to take the next step, other teams can leapfrog you. There will be decision times in the next few years. I don't think the Cs are facing "now-or-never" decisions yet, but there will be. Hopefully when those times come, the Cs can make the necessary moves/advances to take their chance during their window.

One thing it reminds you of is that a big part of getting really good players on your team in today's league is already having really good players that they like.


Celts have Tatum under contract for a while.  Jaylen Brown too.


I bet there are a number of good young players on less exciting or straight up bad franchises who would be excited to get to team up with Jay and Jay.  Donovan Mitchell is one.

I wouldn't be surprised if Bradley Beal (not as young but still good) would be psyched to get out of Washington and join up with JT.

[RJ87]

I'm really surprised Philly isn't more of a factor.

My guess is Morey and or ownership want nothing to do with Harden. Especially if it would take Ben to get him

On the contrary, I doubt Rockets owner wants to trade the best player in Harden to Daryl "I'm taking a gap week" Morey, LOL, and leave him up the creek without a paddle.

I agree to a point. But Ben Simmons is better than any mishmash of role players the Nets can offer. If he prioritizes his ego over the prospect of getting a star talent back that the team can actually build around, he needs to sell the team.

[ChillyWilly]

What photos do you think KI and KD have of Harden that he turns down $50+/m a year after the NBA loses all that money. Thats some serious risk to me for a ring.

I doubt Harden expects to lose any money in the end by moving from Houston to NYC and playing with Durant and Irving.

Yeah, even the worst case scenario is signing a max extension next summer (or a max contract 2 summers from now)

He might lose out on $5 million or so a year, but it's not like he's suddenly gonna be playing for the vet minimum

Not only did he turn down a $50/m extension he just added state income tax to his debts. He's giving up a lot of money anyway you want to shake it to go play in Brooklyn. His financial advisor must be slamming his head against the desk. Thinking he will make up the difference in endorsements by being in NY is very out of touch with how national companies view athletes. I'm even willing to bet his local endorsement income shrinks on this move.

[Roy H.]

Sauces Broussard is “reporting” that Kyrie doesn’t want Harden there.

[Vermont Green]

Harden declined a two-year, $103 million extension with the Rockets so he could force a trade to Brooklyn.

I don't get this part.  Harden is under contract for 2020/21 with a player option for 2021/22.  He can't leave before the end of 2020/21 at the earliest.  That is not enough leverage to "force" a trade, at least not immediately.