ESPN Insider suggests....fasten your seat belts

[SunsTzu]

This whole thread is moot:

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/8...homa-city-thunder-says-expects-sign-extension

It is but not for the reason linked. Harden can expect to sign an extension but if they don't offer him a max contract I doubt he will.

The reason it's moot is because OKC would never do the trade.

 

[elindholm]

It would drive BC crazy, but I agree that Chris Paul is a pretty good #1. If he's not a #1, who is?

He's definitely a #1, just not good enough to be the #1 on a championship team. He's a notch below the rarified air of James/Durant/Rose, or of Duncan/Bryant if you go back a few years.

 

[slinslin]

Atlanta's mistakes were giving Johnson the 2nd max max contract... as well as drafting Marvin Williams and continuously running with a PF at Center and a SF at PF.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Harden is a bench guy that can supplement a superstar(s) player(s). he is not a building block. But I thought he played great against the mavs, lakers, and spurs. then he got into the finals and completely shrunk. he was really the difference in helping the heat win those games. I think he is really like a jason terry. he is not a guy that I would always bet on to come through, but he is going to be that guy who will help you win a lot of games. It is just strange how he completely disappeared in the finals.

he is MUCH better than Jason Terry. Jason Terry is a one-dimensional shooter and a very good one at that. Harden's got a complete game where he can shoot from distance and drive to the hole at will, racking up FTs AND he dishes the rock to the tune of 4 dime a game.

A lot of players have bad series when they REALLY get the pressure turned up on them for the first time. I wouldn't hold his Finals performance against him after seeing what he did to the last three Western Conference Champions.

 

[Cheesebeef]

The reason it's moot is because OKC would never do the trade.

bingo.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Second of all, who is to say that Toronto will suck? They already have Baragani who is like a poor man's Dirk. Nash will utilize him to his strengths and they have Valacunias coming in from Europe. He's highly regarded there and many said if he was in this draft, he would be a top 3 pick. Also they are in dicussions to trade the #8 pick for Gay/Iggy/Deng.

Nash
DeRozan
Gay/Iggy/Deng
Baragani
Valacuinas

^^That's a playoff team in the East easily. Also a much better team than Phoenix unless we make some drastic changes which I'm not expecting.

as to the second half of your post... that team above sucks... even in the East. Valacunis hasn't proven a damn thing in this league and he's going to be a euro-rookie who notoriously take a couple years to develop into anything worthwhile and that's if they develop at all. bargnani is softer then tissue paper. They HAVEN'T made any trade for Gay/Iggy/Deng and Derozan is a nice player... but that's about it. bottom line... Nash playing with a bunch of guys who are basically rookies and have never done a damn thing in this league is a recipe for disaster... and I think Steve Nash (and anyone else who actually follows basketball) knows it. At best they're a fringe playoff team in the East. And THAT'S how Nash wants to end his career? if he does, more power to him, but I'd be disappointed in him taking cash and being able to be "the man" on a bad team as opposed to take less and trying to win a title with a team that actually needs him.

 

[Russ Smith]

I'm basing on it the whole season, not on the last 5 games. I can see the argument the only concern going into the off-season is how OKC matches up against Miami, and Westbrook is better suited at his position than Harden. But if you ask me which player contributes more over the course of a season? You just can't take away Harden, who is the glue for both for the 1st and 2nd units. Westbrook is just not a consistently good PG. That offense works because Harden makes the big plays when they need them most (just not in the Finals because he's guarding the best player of this generation).

I'm not out on a limb here. OKC considered trading Westbrook back in January. Harden is only being discussed because of 5 games against Miami. Before that, you couldn't pry him from them without giving away the store in return.

I know the media talked about Westbrook being moved but I'm not aware of tangible evidence there was trade discussions. The ones I've heard of before were connected to did he and Durant get along, not was it the best basketball decision.

I'm not nearly as big a believer in basketball stats as in other sports but outside of FG%(and 3) Westbrook statistically is better than Harden, has a better PER, better raw numbers (PPG, APG, RPG etc) and again defensively it's a no contest.

The ball moves better with Harden I do agree, Westbrook over dribbles, but again he's the less polished player, hes' still getting better year over year, at a faster rate than Harden is, and he's only a year older, with much better athletic ability.

If there really is chemistry issues with Durant and Westbrook by all means trade Westbrook, but I think this series showed again Westbrook isn't the problem with OKC winning a title. He's not the one who came up short all series Harden did, he's not the one who came up short in late games Durant did. He shot too much absolutely, but he was also the one guy who wasn't afraid to take on the moment.

I actually think standing pat they'll win a title fairly soon, the problem is it sounds like Harden is going to expect a max contract and that's why theyr'e going to probably have to deal someone eventually.

 

[Superbone]

It is but not for the reason linked. Harden can expect to sign an extension but if they don't offer him a max contract I doubt he will.

The reason it's moot is because OKC would never do the trade.

I don't agree. Harden is willing to work with OKC to stay on the team. Money will not be the deciding factor.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I don't agree. Harden is willing to work with OKC to stay on the team. Money will not be the deciding factor.

Baloney! If he has an agent that is worth ANYTHING, it will be. He is 22 and in the prime earning stage of his career. He will get max money offers and OKC will have to offer max money to keep him.

For a player of his age and situation it would be absolutely stupid to leave money on the table. He could go somewhere else and THRIVE just as easily. It is not like there are some special circumstances that would keep him in OKC (sick child etc). He won't get more playing time there than he would starting somewhere else. And then there is the city, ummm, lets just say that its not a preferred destination as far as living goes.

 

[Superbone]

Baloney! If he has an agent that is worth ANYTHING, it will be. He is 22 and in the prime earning stage of his career. He will get max money offers and OKC will have to offer max money to keep him.

For a player of his age and situation it would be absolutely stupid to leave money on the table. He could go somewhere else and THRIVE just as easily. It is not like there are some special circumstances that would keep him in OKC (sick child etc). He won't get more playing time there than he would starting somewhere else. And then there is the city, ummm, lets just say that its not a preferred destination as far as living goes.

Did you even read the article? He doesn't WANT to go anywhere else. He says the Thunder is like family.

 

[SunsTzu]

Did you even read the article? He doesn't WANT to go anywhere else. He says the Thunder is like family.

He can't go anywhere else so what do you expect him to say?

 

[Cheesebeef]

He can't go anywhere else so what do you expect him to say?

i buy it. The Thunder aren't going to break up their big three... and that is their Big Three and Presti knows it. They can make room for all three contracts and probably even Ibaka (who won't get a MAX deal, but probably will get something like Nene) by amnestying Perkins. He's gonna be the guy left out in the cold eventually IMO.

 

[SunsTzu]

i buy it. The Thunder aren't going to break up their big three... and that is their Big Three and Presti knows it. They can make room for all three contracts and probably even Ibaka (who won't get a MAX deal, but probably will get something like Nene) by amnestying Perkins. He's gonna be the guy left out in the cold eventually IMO.

I'm not disputing the notion of the possibility of Harden staying, I just don't see anyway he leaves money on the table. If they max him of course I think he'll stay, but I don't think he's going to give a discount to play with his "family".

 

[95pro]

you rarely hear players talk like that, that its family and they all hang out together on a daily basis. harden stays a thunder.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Oh, he might stay, but he will get his money. He will get the offers and they will have to match.

 

[Superbone]

i buy it. The Thunder aren't going to break up their big three... and that is their Big Three and Presti knows it. They can make room for all three contracts and probably even Ibaka (who won't get a MAX deal, but probably will get something like Nene) by amnestying Perkins. He's gonna be the guy left out in the cold eventually IMO.

Yep, sort of like the big three in San Antonio. Harden will be willing to take a little less to accommodate the team like Ginobili did.

 

[SunsTzu]

Yep, sort of like the big three in San Antonio. Harden will be willing to take a little less to accommodate the team like Ginobili did.

When Manu was coming off his first NBA contract about to get paid he did not take a little less to stay with the Spurs. He went out and got an offer from the Nuggets and the Spurs matched it.

The market determined Ginobili's contract and the Spurs lucked out. Players coming off their 1st contract about to get their big pay day do not leave money on the table. Maybe Harden will be the first, but I doubt it.

 

[Joe Mama]

Did you even read the article? He doesn't WANT to go anywhere else. He says the Thunder is like family.

I won't claim that this isn't genuine, but it's exactly what an agent would tell him to say. It's going to take a max contract unless he has a serious drop off or a serious injury this upcoming season.

Joe

 

[sunsfan88]

as to the second half of your post... that team above sucks... even in the East. Valacunis hasn't proven a damn thing in this league and he's going to be a euro-rookie who notoriously take a couple years to develop into anything worthwhile and that's if they develop at all. bargnani is softer then tissue paper. They HAVEN'T made any trade for Gay/Iggy/Deng and Derozan is a nice player... but that's about it. bottom line... Nash playing with a bunch of guys who are basically rookies and have never done a damn thing in this league is a recipe for disaster... and I think Steve Nash (and anyone else who actually follows basketball) knows it. At best they're a fringe playoff team in the East. And THAT'S how Nash wants to end his career? if he does, more power to him, but I'd be disappointed in him taking cash and being able to be "the man" on a bad team as opposed to take less and trying to win a title with a team that actually needs him.

Numerous reports have indicated that Steve Nash is strongly considering signing with the Raptors.


Several NBA personnel executives have confirmed the rumors may have real traction.


"I've been hearing that from people that would know," said one Western Conference executive. "The Raptors may not be ready to win right away, but with (Andrea) Bargnani, (DeMar) DeRozan and maybe (Jonas) Valanciunas coming over next season, they could be pretty decent right away with Nash. And they could have enough cap space to get something done there."


Nash is set to become an unrestricted free agent for the first time since 2004.

http://www.foxsportsarizona.com/06/24/12/Nash-speculation-gaining-steam-but-littl/landing_suns.html?blockID=751304&feedID=3559

​

 

[Superbone]

I won't claim that this isn't genuine, but it's exactly what an agent would tell him to say. It's going to take a max contract unless he has a serious drop off or a serious injury this upcoming season.

Joe

That doesn't make sense to me. That seems like the opposite stance to take if you want to get paid the most possible.

 

[sunsfan88]

That doesn't make sense to me. That seems like the opposite stance to take if you want to get paid the most possible.

It works like this: OKC can offer either Harden OR Ibaka the max, just not both.

So, Harden is trying to look humble/good by saying all these things to try to get Presti choose Harden over Ibaka. Plus right now, Harden may have a better public rep among fans than Ibaka simply because of that one statement in which he talks about them being a dynasty etc. And the way fans view Harden will also play a huge role in deciding who gets the extension for Presti.

Basically, Harden is just trying to suck up to Presti. And he has every right to do it because every player does it but we'll have to wait and see if it actually works.

 

[JCSunsfan]

no. Harden is a genuinely good guy and likes his team. He is saying the exact appropriate thing for this moment.

But that doesn't mean he is going to sign for cheap.

 

[Mainstreet]

no. Harden is a genuinely good guy and likes his team. He is saying the exact appropriate thing for this moment.

But that doesn't mean he is going to sign for cheap.

We agree. Harden will want to get paid what he is worth, the max or close to it.

Let Ibaka fend for himself.

 

[Chaplin]

OKC's plan should be to sign them to extensions as soon as possible if this "will sign for less money" is true. Because once either one or both become restricted, they will have to match possible max money.

 

[Mainstreet]

OKC's plan should be to sign them to extensions as soon as possible if this "will sign for less money" is true. Because once either one or both become restricted, they will have to match possible max money.

Sarver would probably not extend Harden if he were a Sun thinking he still needs to prove his worth like Joe Johnson.