You can't hold LA more than about 40% accountable for Felton, Crawford, and the others sandbagging because they couldn't bring themselves to play hard under Nate. Replacing LA with Harden with our current roster makes us a 15-win team at best this season. Now, getting Harden to be our #3 behind Aldridge and (hopefully) Lillard isn't a terrible idea, but offering him a max contract as a FA certainly is.
I'm all about Offering Harden a max this off season. He fills the hole at the only position we don't really have a good prospect or an above average starter at.
that would be my opinion. The only reasons to trade him is for A) an overwhelming offer B) down the line if it doesn't look like Portland is going to contend and he's looking to bolt following his current contract. As many others have alluded, this year is about them seeing what their new pieces can add to the mix. If both of the new kids can play they're going to be pretty good. Really looking forward to seeing the P&R with Lillard For some fans it always seems like the grass is greener on the other side of the fence STOMP
I'd be fine with offering Harden a max deal next summer (assuming we have the cap space). It would be great to add him to our current mix, but I want no part of trading Aldridge for him. If we did, our biggest hole would be PF. I'd rather keep Aldridge and try to land a SG with our lottery pick next June. BNM
I hate to say it, but Aldridge has become a nicer version of Rasheed Wallace. He's just as soft, and all he wants to do is shoot the outside jumper. Last night he grabbed a grand total of 2 rebounds. I personally wouldn't mind trading him. He's a talented player, but I don't think he'll ever live up to his potential as a big man.
he is widely considered to be #1 or #2 PF under the age of 28 in the league(can't remember the name of the ESPN article were the analysts were asked about the top young PF in the league last year and Love/LA dominated the conversation), i'd say he has lived up to his potential as a big man when we drafted him. Is he going to live up to what we as blazer fans hold him up to be? Nope.