Around the NBA 2022 Playoffs: The Thread

Simmons was done in Philly. It was not a salvageable relationship in any way. None. He was a giant distraction and dead salary in Philly. They got rid of that while essentially trading Curry and Drummond (a vet minimum player) for James Harden. They won the trade. It's possible that Brooklyn might win it too, but that's not certain at all

 

James Harden is pretty much on the Russell Westbrook path of being ridiculously overpaid for being a shell of his former self.

IF they win a championship, it would be worth it. If they don’t, the trade is a massive L.

Your point that “Simmons relationship wasn’t salvageable” means diddly. They could’ve traded Simmons for pieces NOT named Harden (who aren’t going to get paid $50 mill per year), kept Curry AND got picks.

That’s pretty much like saying if the Nets flipped Simmons, Curry, Drummond and picks to the Lakers for Westbrook that the Nets won the trade because “at least Westbrook played”. Not exactly how it works. I’m not sure how one could argue The Sixers won or even got decent value, UNLESS they win a championship.

 

where is your proof of that?

everything I heard or read about the situation was that just about every team had withdrawn any offers they had made for Simmons because the situation was so toxic in Philly and Simmons' value around the league had cratered because of real concerns about his mental state

and your wild exaggeration has been noted: Harden will have an expiring contract next season and it's 47M

 

3 million difference is a *wild* exaggeration?

And pretty much everyone thinks Harden will be signing a super max extension.

There were numerous reports of offers that had been made to the sixers but Morey “demanded” an all star in return. You can do the research if you truly don’t remember those conversations.

 

I'm saying one year at 47M is a lot different than being "paid $50 mill per year"

if Harden signs a super-max extension with Philly then we can revisit that

I know about the reports of all the offers supposedly made for Simmons. Those were mainly during last summer and the first couple months of the season. Following that, there were plenty of reports of the teams who had made offers backing way off of what they offered or completely shutting down any offers at all. Simmons in Philly was definitely a toxic situation and more and more people began to think a lot of the toxicity was on Simmons.

for Philly, Simmons as a player and member of the roster had massive negative value, and it was only getting worse. They were able to bail out of that morass and land Harden for the cost of Curry, a vet minimum C, and a couple of crappy 1st's, one of which is at least 6 drafts away. They had a .593 winning percentage before the trade and a .704 winning percentage after the trade. And they are 2-2 in the conference semi-finals. That's a big win for them

 

Fair enough.

Then guess what? Morey should’ve traded him sooner… like a ton of people on this very forum suggested. Of course Simmons was toxic. It’s also why people said offers were going to start to get worse when it became clear it was a situation that wasn’t going to improve.

Werent they in the conference finals last year?

Also using that *very logic* if we traded Dame for… well, just about anybody half decent, we could’ve made the playoffs. That doesn’t mean trading Dame (since he was sitting out injured therefor being a “negative value”) for let’s say, Tyrese Haliburton would be a “big win”.

In my opinion, for it to be a “win” they need to win a championship.

Otherwise, I think Morey seriously misplayed his hand and should’ve took another deal *earlier*.

Also, the comparison wouldn’t be “what they were like before and after the trade” because I’m not saying they shouldn’t have traded him. Im saying they should’ve traded him for different pieces than James Harden who *I* think would have been more likely to help them win a championship this year (or next year) more than James Harden.

obviously it’s a hypothesis that cannot be proved or proved wrong though.

 

It has come out that Harden won’t ask for the supermax and I can’t think of a single team that would pay it for him. $50-60 million per year? Um no.

And you are right, there were several offers for Simmons.

 

Sixers haven’t been to the conference finals since 2001. They lost in second round last year. I agree with you. Trade is only a win if they win the title.

 

Bucks and Celtics has a lot of great individual defenders. Fun to watch

 

I didn’t see anyone say that James wouldn’t ask for the max. But if that’s true, good for them. I wonder how much of a discount he would accept. Also, it seems the only reason he would do that is for long term security. Really depends on what he’s thinking. 5 years 100 mill? 5 years 150 mill? 5 years 175? 5/200?

 

Boston needs to ramp up the defense and take care of the ball. They’re lucky to be down only 7.

 

Such BS! I’m so sick of this shit. That wasn’t even intentional.

 

Pritchard is really good!
He’s so crafty and smart.
He’s a floor general and plays like CP3 & Steve Nash.

 

Giannis is the best player in the nba and has been for 2 or 3 years.

not sure if that’s a hot take, but I am a big fan of his.

 

It's not a hot take, it's a fact. The dude is a monster... I think the fact that his three point shot and jumper in general isn't an efficient weapon gives people the out to give the MVP to someone else but there's no one better playing the game right now.

 

Good series.

 

Yeah it is. I think if everyone was healthy that the Bucks would have the clear advantage but they're missing Middleton and the Celts were missing Williams tonight.

 

I still would have traded Aldridge for Horford. People thought I was nuts.