James Harden Holding Out

[RJ87]

I wouldn't risk trading for him. It's clear he wants to be at the Nets with Kyrie and KD and what elite players want, they eventually get, even if it takes a couple of years. I'd much rather have JT and JB who want to be with us, and will grow with us. Definitely Danny should kick the tires to get an idea of what it might take to get Harden here but I think it would be a short sighted move. I know it worked for Toronto and Kawhi, but I'm less sold on Harden, especially if we had to ship a lot of long term talent the other way to get him.

Agreed. I recognize his talent, but I don't think he stays here beyond his current deal (and who's to say he doesn't end up forcing a trade away from here before the contract even ends?), especially if we're sacrificing a guy in Jaylen who's already signed long term.

5 years from now, do you realistically think Tatum and Brown are going to bring Boston a title?  If the answer is no, then I think you have to take the 2 year shot with Harden because a Harden, Tatum, Walker trio is absolutely good enough to win a title in the next 2 seasons.

I don't realistically think we'd get a title with Harden either so I'd much prefer to keep Brown. To be clear, I'm not opposed to trading Brown. If Giannis balks at re-upping with Milwaukee and they decide to trade him, I'd help Jaylen pack his bags myself.

Of the star players, James represents the worst case scenario to me. He's ball dominant and goes through star teammates like Kleenex during flu season. I think his fit here wouldn't be as seamless as some think and you'd hinder Jayson's development by taking the ball out of his hands. And like I said before, I don't think he stays beyond his deal, and I'm not convinced he doesn't try to force his way out if there's no Finals appearance in year 1.

I don't think James Harden is the star we should go for.

I'll be honest, I don't think any team with Harden as the first option will ever win a title, so I already disagree with your premise.

TP. I 100% agree with you.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

I think a dark horse could be the Raptors. Here's the offer.
Siakim
Powell and OG (if this extends into the season, when FVV became available after signing his contract, I could see them offering him instead of Powell and OG)
Three future first rounders and two pick swaps

for Harden and Tucker.

Siakim is not the same as Simmons, but if the Sixers are playing hardball with picks, he's still an all-star player. Siakim would also be better than any asset the Nets can give.

The Raptors would still have Lowry, Harden, FVV, Boucher, Tucker, and Baynes. They'd need more depth, but that's a pretty good team that could challenge in the East under Nick Nurse. I could see the Raptors as a "cool" franchise option that Harden might want too.

[Tr1boy]

I think a dark horse could be the Raptors. Here's the offer.
Siakim
Powell and OG (if this extends into the season, when FVV became available after signing his contract, I could see them offering him instead of Powell and OG)
Three future first rounders and two pick swaps

for Harden and Tucker.

Siakim is not the same as Simmons, but if the Sixers are playing hardball with picks, he's still an all-star player. Siakim would also be better than any asset the Nets can give.

The Raptors would still have Lowry, Harden, FVV, Boucher, Tucker, and Baynes. They'd need more depth, but that's a pretty good team that could challenge in the East under Nick Nurse. I could see the Raptors as a "cool" franchise option that Harden might want too.

I doubt Raptors would give up that much for Harden. Then the Raptors are not really contenders anymore

Not the Rockets 1st choice. But might be preferred than Tobias Harris + Korkmaz or Dinwiddie + Levert

To Rockets: Siakam, Powell, 2 future 1sts
To Raptors: Harden

[td450]

I'm going to guess that no team wants him. Not one.

Assess the odds:

1. You make a deal for James Harden and he wins you a title.

2. You make a deal for James Harden and you don't win a title, but your owner is happy, and somehow James is too.

3. You make a deal for James Harden, and he gets you fired.

I would say the GM's that are in a team position to see #3 as a minor risk are extremely limited.

[RJ87]

So this isn't his first time wanting a trade from Houston? Lol, like I said. No way this guy is happy here. He'll demand we trade Tatum and then request a trade himself.

https://nba.nbcsports.com/2020/12/08/report-james-harden-made-trade-ultimatum-to-rockets-last-year-too/

After the 2019 playoff collapse and fallout with Chris Paul, sources say Harden told the front office the same thing: commit to building a championship team or trade me[...] Westbrook’s arrival came off the backs of Harden’s belief that Paul wasn’t a suitable partner to lead the Rockets to a title, sources say.

Longer piece at The Athletic
https://theathletic.com/2245976/2020/12/08/there-is-no-timetable-what-does-james-harden-really-want/

[Csfan1984]

Danny exploring a trade as we speak

Harden ....for various combo of Brown ,   Smart ,  Kemba ,  assets .

no matter how bad you hate the thought ,  he would not be a good GM if he didn't at least see what tease he could throw at Houston , see if it sticks .

I remember people here thought there was no way he d trade for Kyrie ....  for our hero IT and possible lotto pick...But i thought he might might try and he did.

I agree. Even if not all in DA is the ultimate tire-kicker and will check the value and asking price of Harden.

I myself feel if the deal was right I'd do it. For me that is

Walker, Smart, two first (2021,2023), and TPE
for
Harden, Gordon and McLemore
(Saves Houston like 12 million)

Starters
Harden, Brown, Tatum, Theis, TT
Main Bench
Teague, Gordon, Nesmith, GW, RW

[Moranis]

So this isn't his first time wanting a trade from Houston? Lol, like I said. No way this guy is happy here. He'll demand we trade Tatum and then request a trade himself.

https://nba.nbcsports.com/2020/12/08/report-james-harden-made-trade-ultimatum-to-rockets-last-year-too/

After the 2019 playoff collapse and fallout with Chris Paul, sources say Harden told the front office the same thing: commit to building a championship team or trade me[...] Westbrook’s arrival came off the backs of Harden’s belief that Paul wasn’t a suitable partner to lead the Rockets to a title, sources say.

Longer piece at The Athletic
https://theathletic.com/2245976/2020/12/08/there-is-no-timetable-what-does-james-harden-really-want/

He said build a winner or trade me some place I can win.  That seems like what you'd want your star player to do.  Houston failed to build a real winner around him and they have no shot at winning this year.  That wouldn't be the case in Boston.

[johnnygreen]

If Danny is talking to Houston about a Harden trade, it doesn't necessarily mean Harden would be coming to Boston. What if Danny is trying to acquire a player from another team and seeing if Houston has interest in Jaylen Brown?

[footey]

I think a dark horse could be the Raptors. Here's the offer.
Siakim
Powell and OG (if this extends into the season, when FVV became available after signing his contract, I could see them offering him instead of Powell and OG)
Three future first rounders and two pick swaps

for Harden and Tucker.

Siakim is not the same as Simmons, but if the Sixers are playing hardball with picks, he's still an all-star player. Siakim would also be better than any asset the Nets can give.

The Raptors would still have Lowry, Harden, FVV, Boucher, Tucker, and Baynes. They'd need more depth, but that's a pretty good team that could challenge in the East under Nick Nurse. I could see the Raptors as a "cool" franchise option that Harden might want too.

Interesting, but unless GA signs extension, they will preserve cap space.

Also doubt the would give up BOTH OG and Siakam.   

[Darth_Yoda]

I think a dark horse could be the Raptors. Here's the offer.
Siakim
Powell and OG (if this extends into the season, when FVV became available after signing his contract, I could see them offering him instead of Powell and OG)
Three future first rounders and two pick swaps

for Harden and Tucker.

Siakim is not the same as Simmons, but if the Sixers are playing hardball with picks, he's still an all-star player. Siakim would also be better than any asset the Nets can give.

The Raptors would still have Lowry, Harden, FVV, Boucher, Tucker, and Baynes. They'd need more depth, but that's a pretty good team that could challenge in the East under Nick Nurse. I could see the Raptors as a "cool" franchise option that Harden might want too.

I am not sure the Rapors give up all of that
I am not sure the Raptors want Harden (they are very much a 2 way player team)
I am not sure Harden wants the raptors.

FVV would be relegated to being the 6th man there and they are putting alot of faith in boucher.

Lowry
Harden/FVV
McCaw
Tucker/Boucher
Baynes

I dont like it personally.

[RJ87]

So this isn't his first time wanting a trade from Houston? Lol, like I said. No way this guy is happy here. He'll demand we trade Tatum and then request a trade himself.

https://nba.nbcsports.com/2020/12/08/report-james-harden-made-trade-ultimatum-to-rockets-last-year-too/

After the 2019 playoff collapse and fallout with Chris Paul, sources say Harden told the front office the same thing: commit to building a championship team or trade me[...] Westbrook’s arrival came off the backs of Harden’s belief that Paul wasn’t a suitable partner to lead the Rockets to a title, sources say.

Longer piece at The Athletic
https://theathletic.com/2245976/2020/12/08/there-is-no-timetable-what-does-james-harden-really-want/

He said build a winner or trade me some place I can win.  That seems like what you'd want your star player to do. Houston failed to build a real winner around him and they have no shot at winning this year.  That wouldn't be the case in Boston.

No, I'd want my star player to take accountability for his own shortcomings. He choked as much in that GSW series as anyone. I don't think you can building a championship winner around a whiner.

Sorry, I'm not buying Harden stock. At all. Ever.

[Rondo9]

So this isn't his first time wanting a trade from Houston? Lol, like I said. No way this guy is happy here. He'll demand we trade Tatum and then request a trade himself.

https://nba.nbcsports.com/2020/12/08/report-james-harden-made-trade-ultimatum-to-rockets-last-year-too/

After the 2019 playoff collapse and fallout with Chris Paul, sources say Harden told the front office the same thing: commit to building a championship team or trade me[...] Westbrook’s arrival came off the backs of Harden’s belief that Paul wasn’t a suitable partner to lead the Rockets to a title, sources say.

Longer piece at The Athletic
https://theathletic.com/2245976/2020/12/08/there-is-no-timetable-what-does-james-harden-really-want/

He said build a winner or trade me some place I can win.  That seems like what you'd want your star player to do. Houston failed to build a real winner around him and they have no shot at winning this year.  That wouldn't be the case in Boston.

No, I'd want my star player to take accountability for his own shortcomings. He choked as much in that GSW series as anyone. I don't think you can building a championship winner around a whiner.

Sorry, I'm not buying Harden stock. At all. Ever.

I remember a time when Harden sat out a whole quarter against the Clippers watching Josh Smith single handily save his season while Harden went 5-23 or something.

[Tr1boy]

As much as there are crappy Harden examples

There is "hope".... that one performance in the all star game last season

He shot a total of 11 shots?   He was really strong on both ends imo

[SHAQATTACK]

He would be hard to stop with Tatum by his side and TT and TL rebounding .

Danny is squirming in his seat ,  owners anxious for word, burning the midnight lamp oil .

[Phantom255x]

I entertained the thought like a month ago.

Now? No thanks. I mean I'm a bit surprised this isn't being talked about much, but the guy is literally on pics blatantly ignoring COVID-19 guidelines. No mask, in clubs or other places. I know that's the state of the U.S. unfortunately but the NBA released strict guidelines and Harden's blatantly ignoring it too.

Also, it's obvious the guy pushed CP3 out and demanded Westbrook, and despite all they've tried to do around him the Rockets can't get over the hump. Because Harden's a big playoff choker. Even last season Westbrook I thought was the primary issue in the 2nd round, but what exactly did the great James Harden do after Game 1 of the 2nd round?? As usual, choked and underperformed.