James Harden interested in joining the Suns next summer

[KloD]

I hadn't given Harden to Suns much chance, and I certainly don't believe as the title says, that he has "interest" in playing in Phoenix. He was asked a question and said if offered he'd have to think about it. Hardly evidence of interest. But, now that they've invested so much in Ibaka the chance that OK wants to pay him the max is pretty unlikely. He knows he can get that whether he's worth it or not. Hmmm I'd think the chances they match a max offer have significantly reduced. Whatever team he chooses to take an offer from next summer has a good chance of working out a sign and trade instead.

 

[chickenhead]

http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-t...-metrics-and-the-actual-value-of-james-harden

Bump: interesting read.

 

[Griffin]

Harden clearly wants a max deal. Whether or not OKC will give it to him, now or next summer by matching, remains to be seen. But should he become a RFA, what are the chances the Suns will be able to sign him to an offer sheet? Dallas, Houston and Orlando will have enough cap room too. What will be the deciding factor? Dallas still has Dirk. What do the Suns have to offer? Will the Suns record next season play a part?

 

[Mainstreet]

Harden clearly wants a max deal. Whether or not OKC will give it to him, now or next summer by matching, remains to be seen. But should he become a RFA, what are the chances the Suns will be able to sign him to an offer sheet? Dallas, Houston and Orlando will have enough cap room too. What will be the deciding factor? Dallas still has Dirk. What do the Suns have to offer? Will the Suns record next season play a part?

I don't think Dallas is formidable as they once were and Phoenix should be able to compete with Houston and Orlando for players straight up. IMO, if the Suns have forged the identity of a team on the rise (making the right moves going forward) then this might be enough to lure Harden back to this area. The Suns have the money, draft picks and even the right player (Gortat) that could make it attractive.

 

[AsUdUdE]

Harden clearly wants a max deal. Whether or not OKC will give it to him, now or next summer by matching, remains to be seen. But should he become a RFA, what are the chances the Suns will be able to sign him to an offer sheet? Dallas, Houston and Orlando will have enough cap room too. What will be the deciding factor? Dallas still has Dirk. What do the Suns have to offer? Will the Suns record next season play a part?

James Harden is a man who likes to blaze his own trail.. Arizona has a spexial place in his heart, his mom lives here, he went to school here, the chance to be the focal point and the man in a town he holds dear in front of family is a bigger selling point than any of those other teams can make...

If the money is similar, I believe it will be Phoenix as the city he choses, ultimately what it will come down to is if OKC decides to match or not..

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

I don't think Dallas is formidable as they once were and Phoenix should be able to compete with Houston and Orlando for players straight up. IMO, if the Suns have forged the identity of a team on the rise (making the right moves going forward) then this might be enough to lure Harden back to this area. The Suns have the money, draft picks and even the right player (Gortat) that could make it attractive.

Gortat's not going to help lure anybody in free agency. Just saying.

 

[Mainstreet]

Gortat's not going to help lure anybody in free agency. Just saying.

I was referring to Gortat as being a part of a sign and trade package for a star player like Harden if he becomes a RFA. He definitely has value.

 

[Griffin]

I was referring to Gortat as being a part of a sign and trade package for a star player like Harden if he becomes a RFA. He definitely has value.

Reportedly they were offered Bradley Beal for Harden and rejected it. Of course next summer it will be a different story, but any trade will almost certainly cost the Suns a high draft pick or two and then some. It may still be worth it if the Suns are convinced OKC would match otherwise, but it will be expensive.

 

[KloD]

It would be a big mistake for the Suns to get into a sign and trade for Harden. They will have the cap space to sign him, therefore why give away more assets when it's not necessary? Offer him a max contract and if he accepts then it's up to OKC to match or not. There is serious doubt that they would match given their finacial state. If they do then oh well and move on.

 

[AzStevenCal]

It would be a big mistake for the Suns to get into a sign and trade for Harden. They will have the cap space to sign him, therefore why give away more assets when it's not necessary? Offer him a max contract and if he accepts then it's up to OKC to match or not. There is serious doubt that they would match given their finacial state. If they do then oh well and move on.

Agreed. If we have to give up CAP space AND assets to get Harden, we won't have accomplished anything. It will just make Harden the best player on a horrible team.

Steve

 

[Mainstreet]

I tend to agree with the last two posts by KloD and AzStevenCal. There is not much to be gained if one has two give up the ship for one star player. Still it's fun to play what if.

 

[Griffin]

Harden and OKC are still negotiating an extension. They have until Wednesday. Harden reportedly already turned down a 4-year/$52M offer. The maximum OKC can offer is 4-years/$60M.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nba--j...to-negotiate-contract-extension-27571809.html

 

[sunsfan88]

Harden and OKC are still negotiating an extension. They have until Wednesday. Harden reportedly already turned down a 4-year/$52M offer. The maximum OKC can offer is 4-years/$60M.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nba--j...to-negotiate-contract-extension-27571809.html

So much for Harden willing to take less money to stay in OKC.

 

[elindholm]

Harden and OKC are still negotiating an extension. They have until Wednesday.

Don't they also have next summer?

 

[SunsTzu]

Don't they also have next summer?

Technically it won't be an extension next year. Either Harden signs a qualifying offer(highly unlikely) or he'll sign a new contract.

 

[AsUdUdE]

ESPN is reporting that the Thunder and Rockets are in advanced trade discussions that would send James Harden to Houston in exchange for a package of players including G Kevin Martin...

Ugh... So much for that pipe dream..

 

[gmabel830]

ESPN is reporting that the Thunder and Rockets are in advanced trade discussions that would send James Harden to Houston in exchange for a package of players including G Kevin Martin...

Ugh... So much for that pipe dream..

ESPN is citing a source saying that the deal is done.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have traded James Harden, Daequan Cook, Lazar Hayward and Cole Aldrich to the Houston Rockets for Jeremy Lamb, Kevin Martin and future draft picks, a source told ESPN The Magazine's Chris Broussard.