The more I think about this, the more I actually think I would do it. If they could keep Nurk and Dame, yes. They would be all in, a complete bitch to defend and if it doesn’t work they start over. Harden and Dame similar timelines. Both need to win soon so the urgency is there. I can’t stand Harden but every single time I watch him play I’m amazed. Best offensive player in the league.
Generally speaking I agree. But I would guess it’s more mid-tiered. Clock is ticking. If they could keep Nurk, Dame, Covington, Jones, Melo, with Harden, it’s probably as good as it gets for him. If he goes to Philly, what could the sixers offer that doesn’t deplete the team too much?
Honestly, Simmons and filler. If the Sixers gave up Simmons for Harden then they would take a hit defensively and on the boards but that would be the most potent offense in the league. I think they would move Seth to the bench and start Thybulle with Green playing the 2, I think Harris is a good defender at the 4 and Harden has never played with a big as good as Embiid. They would have Seth, Shake Milton or maybe Maxey, Mike Scott and Howard off the bench... that's pretty deep. Harden would win another MVP and I think the Sixers would have the best record in the East. Could they beat Milwaukee in a seven game, I don't know. After the trade this roster and coach would be better designed for the regular season than the playoffs. I don't think they will beat the team that comes out of the West if they did get past Milwaukee.
Things are going to get interesting - https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id...pand-trade-talks-james-harden-preferred-teams
I just can’t imagine them letting Simmons go I guess. He’s young, already an all star, I dunno. But sure that would be good for Houston.
I go back to this - Make your move and give your team a real chance to win a championship; stay the same and you end up with a safe team with no opportunity to even get to the championship.
What if we were the third team in the Nets trade. The Nets get Harden, we get LeVert, Allen, Dinwiddie and Prince, and Houston gets CJ, Gary, Nurk and picks from Brooklyn. Would you guys like that for us? Would that be a deal that would interest Houston a lot more than what Brooklyn was already offering? I think we would have to cut Melo or if Houston wanted him in the trade send him on over too. We would have a rotation of: Dame, LaVert, DJJ, RoCo, Allen, Dinwiddie, Hoodie, Prince, Zach or Giles and Kanter. I think we would be much much better defensively and more cohesive offensively. The complaint about needing another guy who can get his own shot would be nullified by LaVert, who can break defenders off with his handle, pull up, get to the hoop and is a fantastic passer. Edit: I know I just broke my pledge to not post CJ trade ideas but I'm really not hating on CJ here, just wondering what others would think of this trade. Sorry.
I love Nurk and that is painful but I think Allen is special too. The length and athleticism this trade gives our defense without losing too much on offense is what I think is appealing about it. I also don't think Houston does it without two players like CJ and Nurk. We can't include CJ and Nurk to get Harden ourselves because we would have a gaping whole at the 5 that this trade covers.
Then send Hoodie and some draft considerations to make value and salaries work... that might get it done without losing Nurk but that trade couldn't take place until February 18th.
a plane from Portland to Vegas is shorter than Houston to Vegas. Lol don’t quote me on that tho I would do it. Harden is a once in a generation player, durable, and has improved his defense a little bit. He’s better than CJ at defense If we could get him without giving up Nurk or Gary I would do it. But that’s probably impossible that three way deal no dice
On a separate note Houston is fucking crazy... If you can get Simmons you take it. I guess unless it's Philly that's asking for extra compensation coming back.
There is this thing called the salary cap that you guys seem to keep forgetting about. Also I don't think Dinwiddie has close to the value that Trent would for Houston. Basically what you guys are saying is that we give up way too much for what we're getting back which is cool, it's why I floated the idea and asked if that would work for us.
OK, then they definitely wouldn't do it because they have already said that they don't like the players the Nets are offering. I think CJ is higher profile than anyone the Nets are offering and definitely a better scorer, I think that Nurk is more appealing than probably any single player the Nets are offering and Gary is a kicker but that is why I asked if Houston would be interested. You obviously don't think so.