Wolves All-In for Harden this Offseason

[rugbyrugger23]

Like many of you on RGM, I feel Wolves are one top-tier-talent wing player away from having something special. And like many of you I feel Harden is the perfect fit within Wolves’ rotation next to Rubio.

Assumptions:
1) OKC does not win it all…their failure to do so prompts GM to tinker with roster (similar to Jeff Green trade) during offseason.
2) OKC money issues are real…mainly the signing of both Harden and Ibaka to large contracts.
3) OKC views the center position as much needed (and only) position of upgrade.
4) OKC values Pekovic as substantial upgrade at 5 and perfect fit next to Ibaka.

The Trade:
Wolves OUT: Pekovic, DWill, and Jazz 1st Rd Pick (Griz or future Wolves pick if needed)
Wolves IN: Harden, Perkins

Thunder OUT: Perkins, Harden
Thunder IN: Pekovic, DWill, and Jazz 1st Rd Pick

Wolves Pros: Harden is perfect 2 guard with Rubio and Love, balance roster, and gain third top-tier-talent for a nice core of Rubio-Harden-Love.
Wolves Cons: Trade DWill before full potential realized, downgrade at C…Perkins/Darko can try to hold down true C duties with Love playing 5 in crunch time or vs. non-true-centers. And if needed, Wolves could still upgrade 5 spot with another trade or FA signing and part with Darko.

Thunder Pros: Upgrade to perfect C next to Ibaka, Pek adds offense to starting 5, DWill coming off bench as scorer at PF, and DWill on rookie contract…less money for a few years to have [DWill-resigned Pek-resigned Ibaka] vs. [Perkins-resigned Harden-resigned Ibaka].
Thunder Cons: Trade one of their Core and gamble DWill develops behind KD/Ibaka so their bench scoring does not take a hit by trading Harden.

Wolves Rotation:
5-Perkins (first man out for BEasy with Love moving to 5 spot)
4-Love
3-Wes (playing at natural SF, defensive specialist with improving outside shot)
2-Harden
1-Rubio

6-Beasley (resigned to be scoring 6th man)
7-Webster (splits minutes with Wes)
8/9-Rid/JJ (backup RR and play some SG)
10-Darko (only plays when fouls are needed)
11-Randolph or Tolliver (one resigned to provide F depth)
12-Ellington/Lee (guard depth)

[phonzadellika]

I like Harden, but I don't think that there's any way that the Wolves trade Derrick Williams AND Nikola Pekovic for the right to pay Harden a max contract and overpay Kendrick Perkins.

I myself would rather horrifically overpay for Batum or Gordon or overpay Mayo in FA and keep Williams and Pek.

I think that the Dallas model is probably a better model for us to follow than the Celtics model...KLove is starting to do the things that he needs to do to be a legit 1st option so we should surround him with players that maximize his talents a la Dirk.

Also, IMO any future roster with Wes Johnson on it is doomed to fail. I feel like after we trade him we'll have to have an exorcism just to make sure his spirit is banished from target center as well.

[jpatrick]

Unfortunately, I think the OP's assumptions and deal are the only way we pry Harden away from OKC. I'm not sure I would do that deal but I would think really hard about it.

NO and Portland will match any offers for Gordon and Batum. They have made moves so they are key chips in their future. Now if the money gets crazy they may think about working a S/T although then again we are overpaying and also giving away assets (Williams, etc.).

I think Mayo is probably our most realistic FA option. I don't think he's great but he's definitely an upgrade over what we have. I can't imagine Memphis matching anything above mid-level money.

[Krapinsky]

3-Wes (playing at natural SF, defensive specialist with improving outside shot)

Lost credibility with me here.

Harden is obviously MN's pipedream. However, a few problems as I see here:

1) Looking at the team you've assembled for MN, you have about a $70M roster once Harden is extended. Beasley could not realistically be resigned in this scenario.

2) Pek will eventually have to get paid, just like Harden. I don't think this helps OKC longterm as a result. I think a much simpler Derrick Williams for Serge Ibaka trade is more realistic. Fits needs of both teams well. Helps OKC with their finances. Gives MN the perfect front court compliment to Pek and Love.

[skorff26]

I don't like it. We create a hole at C and C is harder to fill then a wing position.

Also with the new CBA, the luxury tax will be more of a factor, and I would rather have players on a cheaper contract then the same "talent" on a max deal.

-That being said, it'd be easier to trade Williams for a 1st rounder this year. Teams like Washington, Charlotte, Cleveland, Detroit, NOH, and Sacramento could all have interest in a D. Williams for 1st round pick swap and then we can grab a guy like Kidd-Gilchrist, Barnes, Beal, Lamb, or at the very least someone like Rivers or Q. MIller

[Grits n Gravy]

harden is my absolute dream for this team but i wouldn't give up pek...the best i'd do is DW + anyone outside of ricky, kev or pek + 3 first round picks(utah, memphis, 14 unprotected minnesota - we should be elite by this time.)

i still think okc easily declines.

[phonzadellika]

harden is my absolute dream for this team but i wouldn't give up pek...the best i'd do is DW + anyone outside of ricky, kev or pek + 3 first round picks(utah, memphis, 14 unprotected minnesota - we should be elite by this time.)

i still think okc easily declines.

I don't know about that last part, I think if push came to shove that OKC would probably prioritize their frontcourt over Harden. As good as he is he the Thunder still have Westbrook and Durant to make their offense go and have committed to them for the long haul. I think the guy they really can't afford to lose is Ibaka. Derrick Williams has flashed a bunch this year, and while he's not having an Irving-like rookie season I still think he's shown that he can be a productive player in the NBA. I bet OKC would think about a Harden for Williams + a couple of draft picks swap.

[sisibilio]

I like Harden, but I don't think that there's any way that the Wolves trade Derrick Williams AND Nikola Pekovic for the right to pay Harden a max contract and overpay Kendrick Perkins.

I myself would rather horrifically overpay for Batum or Gordon or overpay Mayo in FA and keep Williams and Pek.

Now that Portland traded Wallace they won't let Batum go unless someone gives him the max.
Mayo is a good choice, and another cheaper option that i think would really fit well is Danny Green.

[Torcher]

Thunder says no to pretty much any package we give them.

Don't fix what isn't broken.

[Gideon]

I like Harden, but I don't think that there's any way that the Wolves trade Derrick Williams AND Nikola Pekovic for the right to pay Harden a max contract and overpay Kendrick Perkins.

I myself would rather horrifically overpay for Batum or Gordon or overpay Mayo in FA and keep Williams and Pek.

I think that the Dallas model is probably a better model for us to follow than the Celtics model...KLove is starting to do the things that he needs to do to be a legit 1st option so we should surround him with players that maximize his talents a la Dirk.

Agree with all of this... but specifically feel strongly that the "Dallas" model makes the most sense for us considering the players/system we currently have.

We have a good pass-first PG who makes the rest of our players better (Rubio/Kidd)

A superstar 4 who is both a great scorer/shooter and rebounder (Love/Dirk... I know Dirk isn't a great rebounder, but it's still a pretty close comparison)

A strong 5 who holds down the middle and is an integral part of the team's success (Pek/Chandler)

D-Will could develop into a similar player to Marion... and we already have Barea.

Give us a Jason Terry-like 2 and we're looking very similar to last year's champs (except Rubio over the next few year should > aging Kidd)... we even have a very good, respected coach who has been successful with multiple franchises and may be a little underrated since he doesn't have a ring (Carlisle before last season).

Obviously, each team is different and we can't try to blindly mimic anybody else, but if we're looking for a championship-level team to use as inspiration, Dallas really seems to fit the bill.

[jade_hippo]

I don't think Harden gets shopped unless he demands out. I may even go so far as to say they'd trade Westbrook before Harden.

[Narf]

The Thunder aren't the Lakers. They can't keep everyone. It's just too much money.

That said, I think Williams + a couple crappy picks isn't enough value for him. We'd have to give more.

[Vindicater]

Harden is ok.

He will get exposed however if he goes to a team where he is the the no1. or no. 2 guy.

[southern wolf]

I would love Harden, but not at the price OKC would most likely ask for.

If Kahn managed to pull off a Harden deal, though, the 2012-13 slogan has to be "Fear the beards".

[Krapinsky]

Harden is ok.

He will get exposed however if he goes to a team where he is the the no1. or no. 2 guy.

He'd be just fine playing with Love and Rubio.

[JasonL]

as much as id LOVE to see harden with the wolves, giving up pek and dwill is too much.

id rather go another route.