Did Golden State really turn down a trade for James Harden?

[holly1985]

Simmons: And then some. At what point is someone going to break the news to Warriors fans that they could have had James Harden for Klay Thompson before the season? Should we do it in stages? One at a time? How should we handle this? We might have to do an oral history called "The Last Few Days Before Oklahoma City Traded James Harden." I still can't believe that Washington and Golden State evaluated that situation by saying, "Hmmmmm … no thanks, we're gonna roll with Bradley Beal/Klay Thompson over adding a franchise guy." Sorry, I interrupted, go back to breaking down Houston's playoff chances, please.

http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/897 ... nge-part-1

Just saw the article. Is it true? Or just Houston's offer is better than GSW's? Or it actually never happened?

[oaklandwarriors]

If you wanted to make a thread about every warriors mistake the board would crash due to the amount of threads made.

[whatchaknow]

Is it really that big of a mistake though?? I know Harden is better but he was due for a big pay raise and Klay is still on his rookie contract. Plus im sure there were other pieces going out. Also didnt GS have to basically give away two bench players to avoid the luxury? Im sure they would have had to follow up the Harden trade with other trades to get rid of valuable contributors to avoid the lux. Either way Hardens great but it was hard to see him becoming what he is now

[frizzledizzle]

Is it really that big of a mistake though?? I know Harden is better but he was due for a big pay raise and Klay is still on his rookie contract. Plus im sure there were other pieces going out. Also didnt GS have to basically give away two bench players to avoid the luxury? Im sure they would have had to follow up the Harden trade with other trades to get rid of valuable contributors to avoid the lux. Either way Hardens great but it was hard to see him becoming what he is now

Is missing out on a franchise player that's only 23 years old a big mistake?? Didn't he just outscore Durant and Westbrook combined in the win over the Thunder?

[StyLeD]

Last season many questioned whether or not he could take the step from 3rd option to first option, let alone becoming a superstar.

[DanTown8587]

Is it really that big of a mistake though??

Yes, yes it is. I'm not sure that Golden State had the contracts to make it work, but that also could be a problem since they have Jefferson over Jackson.

[cdubbz]

Last season many questioned whether or not he could take the step from 3rd option to first option, let alone becoming a superstar.

false.

[holly1985]

I just think Curry and Harden would fit perfectly. Curry is great off the ball and shoots very well. Harden drives and makes plays. They just fit naturally.
The Harden-Lin backcourt is good now. But Lin really struggled for a while playing without the ball and he's no where near Curry as a shooter.

[dockingsched]

Is it really that big of a mistake though??

Yes, yes it is. I'm not sure that Golden State had the contracts to make it work, but that also could be a problem since they have Jefferson over Jackson.

very easy to make it work, harden is only making 5.8 mil this yr.

[KrazySixersD]

only those who dont know bball wondered if harden would succeed as a number 1 option... he had every tool... size, athletic, shooting ability, able to finish with contact and get to the line, handles...

dude was poised to break out... if this is true, yet another example of a team's ownership caring more about money than winning... which is truly sad and pathetic

[Totem]

Last season many questioned whether or not he could take the step from 3rd option to first option, let alone becoming a superstar.

The thing is, at worst he would be a nice yet expensive 2nd/3rd option next to curry and lee. The only way you lose in this situation is financially for the warriors.

[Jazza2319]

only those who dont know bball wondered if harden would succeed as a number 1 option... he had every tool... size, athletic, shooting ability, able to finish with contact and get to the line, handles...

dude was poised to break out... if this is true, yet another example of a team's ownership caring more about money than winning... which is truly sad and pathetic

The only reason people questioned his ability to be a number 1 option was because he played like crap in the finals, and most people assumed he was getting his numbers against other team's benches without looking at the advanced stats

If this trade were the case, then GSW certainly missed out on possibly being a Western Conference Champion contender next year and going forward. You still would have had Curry, Lee, Bogut and Harden. Unless the trade involved swapping Perkins with Bogut as well, i'm not sure how they could've passed up that trade

[Jazza2319]

Last season many questioned whether or not he could take the step from 3rd option to first option, let alone becoming a superstar.

The thing is, at worst he would be a nice yet expensive 2nd/3rd option next to curry and lee. The only way you lose in this situation is financially for the warriors.

they would've only had next season where they were in the luxury tax because of Biedrins and Jefferson's player options. 2015 going forward they would've been fine

[KrazySixersD]

man, im not even a GS fan but this angers me....

[gordito]

only those who dont know bball wondered if harden would succeed as a number 1 option... he had every tool... size, athletic, shooting ability, able to finish with contact and get to the line, handles...

dude was poised to break out... if this is true, yet another example of a team's ownership caring more about money than winning... which is truly sad and pathetic

The only reason people questioned his ability to be a number 1 option was because he played like crap in the finals, and most people assumed he was getting his numbers against other team's benches without looking at the advanced stats

If this trade were the case, then GSW certainly missed out on possibly being a Western Conference Champion contender next year and going forward. You still would have had Curry, Lee, Bogut and Harden. Unless the trade involved swapping Perkins with Bogut as well, i'm not sure how they could've passed up that trade

Considering OKC kept Perkins in the HOU deal, I think it's very plausible the deal was Klay Thompson/Harrison Barnes/draft picks.