Poll: Do You Want The C's To Acquire James Harden?

[colincb]

FWIW. I wouldn't be surprised by either trade. Granato is the morning show host of the Bench on ESPN 97.5 Houston.

John Granato@johngranato

An impeccable source says the Raptors and the Celtics are the favorites right now for James Harden. It’d be a package for Pascal Siakam and more or Jaylen Brown and more.

11:20 AM · Dec 20, 2020 from Houston, TX

[CelticsElite]

FWIW. I wouldn't be surprised by either trade. Granato is the morning show host of the Bench on ESPN 97.5 Houston.

John Granato@johngranato

An impeccable source says the Raptors and the Celtics are the favorites right now for James Harden. It’d be a package for Pascal Siakam and more or Jaylen Brown and more.

11:20 AM · Dec 20, 2020 from Houston, TX

interesting

[hpantazo]

It would really hurt to lose Jaylen for Harden. Jaylen, besides his talent, is a high quality character and leader, smart, strong influence and very close with Tatum.

Also, Harden is 31. He's only got 3-4 good years left.

[gouki88]

It would really hurt to lose Jaylen for Harden. Jaylen, besides his talent, is a high quality character and leader, smart, strong influence and very close with Tatum.

Also, Harden is 31. He's only got 3-4 good years left.

I don't know about that regarding Harden at all. His game is not reliant upon athleticism in any way, he's durable, and players have never had the routine longevity that they do today.

I could easily see him scoring 30+ until he's 34-35, and then still being a 25+ threat for a few years after that. Given his defence is now actually quite reliable alongside his insane ball-skills I don't think he'll age poorly. Plus, if we win a ring or two who cares how he ages, his contract is a 2+1

[johnnygreen]

Could part of the allure of a Celtics trade proposal from Houston's perspective be making a separate trade of Eric Gordon for the TPE? Houston could unload a 4 year, roughly $75M contract.

[RodyTur10]

Lets assume for a moment that there are negotiations between the Celtics and the Rockets (I don't think there are, but you never know).

First thing is that the Celtics will make Tatum unavailable for trade (which is almost impossible anyway due to his extension, poison pill). Then the Rockets will ask for the next best young piece, which is Brown. And I don't think there's anyway the Celtics could pursuade the Rockets to take Walker or Smart as center piece of a deal, neither do I think that a 3rd team will bring that young potential star on the table in exchange for Walker.

For me it's a given that Brown has to be in the deal from the Rockets perspective. The question is what the 'filler' is going to be. Just Brown + Theis + 2/3 guys (Langford, Nesmith, G.Williams, Pritchard, R.Williams, Ojeleye, Edwards, Green) would be the most straightforward way to make a deal.

Another way is adding either Walker or Smart to the deal. The interesting aspect of this, is that Walker is the better player but less valuable as a trade offer (contract, age, injury concerns). But including Walker can make it attractive for the Rockets if the Celtics take on Gordon's bad contract (59/3 left).

If it came down to either keeping/getting Walker or Smart + Gordon, what do you prefer?

[footey]

Has anyone brought up the Kardashian issue in all this LOL?

[colincb]

Could part of the allure of a Celtics trade proposal from Houston's perspective be making a separate trade of Eric Gordon for the TPE? Houston could unload a 4 year, roughly $75M contract.

Yes, because the Gordon contract is a bad one and HOU would have to attach picks to dump the contract. HOU would also get a TPE, and would also get significant cap relief.

How that would affect a Harden trade is a little less clear, but it should allow BOS to decrease the Harden trade package in terms of picks or what particular players other than Brown are in the deal to send at least $33 million back.

[RodyTur10]

Could part of the allure of a Celtics trade proposal from Houston's perspective be making a separate trade of Eric Gordon for the TPE? Houston could unload a 4 year, roughly $75M contract.

Yes, because the Gordon contract is a bad one and HOU would have to attach picks to dump the contract. HOU would also get a TPE, and would also get significant cap relief. How that would affect a Harden trade is a little less clear, but it should allow BOS to decrease the Harden trade package in terms of picks or what players other than Brown are in the deal.

Brown + Walker for Harden + Gordon as basis works as well. Then Boston can figure out later what to do with Gordon and Houston could be looking for a 3rd team for assets for Walker.

Taking on a bad contract to limit the outgoing picks seems like a smart thing to do. With so many teams having cap space next year it probably won't be too expensive to unload a bad contract if you really need to.

[colincb]

If the trade for Harden ($41.2M) is based on Jaylen Brown ($22.7M), you almost certainly need to include Smart ($12.9M) to get the salaries to match.  If the base trade is Kemba Walker ($34.3M) you can get to salary match with say Langford ($3.6M).  So I look at this as Brown AND Smart or Kemba and whatever.

I don't see anyone offering years of first round picks for Harden like OKC got for Paul George.  That trade was really getting BOTH George and Kawhi Leonard for the package of players and picks.  Do the trade and Kawhi signs.  No trade, probably no Kawhi.  It is not like that with Harden.  With Paul George, you also got Kawhi, with Harden, the only other thing you get is baggage.

I actually would not trade Brown and Smart (plus some picks assumed).  It is not that Harden isn't necessarily worth it from a pure talent standpoint, it is just more of a lateral for the team when you consider how you are really reconstructing around Harden.

Now if it was Kemba and Langford as the base, you are keeping more of the team intact.  You are still getting the baggage with Harden but you are taking the chance that he has grown up and will listen to the coach and try to fit in by accepting some level of adjustment to his game.  If he does that, you are an instant title contender and maybe for a number of years.  If not, you have to deal with Harden by trade or let him sign elsewhere but that will probably be the case with Kemba anyway.

As I said, I don't think anyone is going to offer a Paul George level deal for Harden.  A Walker Langford start to a package will likely be in the ballpark from Houston's perspective of looking for the best deal.  It probably won't be the best but maybe.  Anyway, that is what I would put on the table and let the chips fall where they may.

Brown + Langford + Nesmith + Pritchard works without Smart or Theis in the ESPN trade machine. The amount sent out has to be at least $32,9243,936. (Harden's 41,254,920 salary -100,000K)/1.25). This is the closest to that amount that I've been able to get to work so far. Brown + Langford + Nesmith + G. Williams works too.

http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=ybplnal9

[Vermont Green]

If the trade for Harden ($41.2M) is based on Jaylen Brown ($22.7M), you almost certainly need to include Smart ($12.9M) to get the salaries to match.  If the base trade is Kemba Walker ($34.3M) you can get to salary match with say Langford ($3.6M).  So I look at this as Brown AND Smart or Kemba and whatever.

I don't see anyone offering years of first round picks for Harden like OKC got for Paul George.  That trade was really getting BOTH George and Kawhi Leonard for the package of players and picks.  Do the trade and Kawhi signs.  No trade, probably no Kawhi.  It is not like that with Harden.  With Paul George, you also got Kawhi, with Harden, the only other thing you get is baggage.

I actually would not trade Brown and Smart (plus some picks assumed).  It is not that Harden isn't necessarily worth it from a pure talent standpoint, it is just more of a lateral for the team when you consider how you are really reconstructing around Harden.

Now if it was Kemba and Langford as the base, you are keeping more of the team intact.  You are still getting the baggage with Harden but you are taking the chance that he has grown up and will listen to the coach and try to fit in by accepting some level of adjustment to his game.  If he does that, you are an instant title contender and maybe for a number of years.  If not, you have to deal with Harden by trade or let him sign elsewhere but that will probably be the case with Kemba anyway.

As I said, I don't think anyone is going to offer a Paul George level deal for Harden.  A Walker Langford start to a package will likely be in the ballpark from Houston's perspective of looking for the best deal.  It probably won't be the best but maybe.  Anyway, that is what I would put on the table and let the chips fall where they may.

Brown + Langford + Nesmith + Pritchard works without Smart or Theis in the ESPN trade machine. The amount sent out has to be at least $32,9243,936. (Harden's 41,254,920 salary -100,000K)/1.25). This is the closest to that amount that I've been able to get work so far. Brown + Langford + Nesmith + G. Williams works too.

http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=ybplnal9

I said almost certainly so of course there are other combinations.  With your deal, assuming Houston would take that (and it is not a horrible offer), we be able to start Walker (when ready), Harden, Tatum and maybe 2 bigs (Theis and Thompson?).  Our bench is Teague, Smart, Javonte Green, Ojeleye and Williams2?  Carson Edwards gets major minutes as well?

I think we let this one go.  Maybe we can trade Kemba Walker in the off season, bring in some reinforcements at the deadline via the TPEs.  I don't mind exploring Harden, I just don't want to blow up the team to get him.

[dannyboy35]

Could part of the allure of a Celtics trade proposal from Houston's perspective be making a separate trade of Eric Gordon for the TPE? Houston could unload a 4 year, roughly $75M contract.

    Oh wow. I didn’t know Gordon had that kind of deal. Interesting. Kemba is a year less. But still.. I feel like Kemba is such a question mark to everyone to use as an asset. But I could be an alarmist on this one.
    I can’t argue with not wanting Harden due to his behavior. On the court I think he’s perfect. We rely so heavily on top  pick n roll and isolation in the most important games already and just hinge are hopes on heroic shots. That’s Harden’s game. I cabt stand it but it would look better than what we do now. Without Hayward its the same thing . The ball will just go in at a better clip.
 

[Yonkers332]

Need the stars to win.  Jalen Brown doesn't have basketball IQ.  Can't pass and makes bad decisions.  Marcus Smart is very overrated . Trade those 2 for Harden.

1. Harden
2. Walker
3. Tatum
4. Player acquired with trade exception
5. Thompson

[Yonkers332]

Tatum is a 3 or 4 on a championship team.  Not consistent enough and is soft around the rim. Needs to finish through contact. Plays like a girl to often. 

[gouki88]

Tatum is a 3 or 4 on a championship team.  Not consistent enough and is soft around the rim. Needs to finish through contact. Plays like a girl to often.

Not only ridiculous, but sexist to boot. One more and you're out