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I for one thought Wolves should have been more aggressive to land Harden from OKC when he was truly on the trade block. However, the Wolves and Thunder just didn't seem to have the compatible trade assets required to complete such a deal.

I still think the idea of Harden-Rubio backcourt long term for the Wolves would be so fun to watch and very successful. Now in Houston, Harden may be too entrenched as their superstar. But lets looks at the potential for such a blockbuster trade...

Love and Shved for Harden and Montiejunas (for starters anyways)

For Houston, is Lin-Harden working? Would Lin-Shved and Love-Asik be perfect/better fit long term? Houston has seemed to be in an endless search for a star PF, do they trade Harden to get top 3 NBA PF? With their capspace this offseason, would Houston rather shop for a SG to compliment or improve over Shved or PF to compliment or improve over Montie/Robinson/White?
Houston new really balanced Lineup:
C-Asik/Love/FA
PF-Love/Robinson/White
SF-Parsons/FA
SG-Shved/Defino?
PG-Lin/Brooks?

For Wolves, move Love and everything that goes with him for ideal SG next to Rubio, while having plenty of PF depth. Does Pek next to DWill fit better then Love-Pek?
Wolves new really balanced lineup:
C-Pek (resign?)/Montie/Stiemer or FA
PF-DWill/Montie/DC?
SF-AK?/Bud?
SG-Harden/Bud?/Lee/FA
PG-RR/Barea/Rid...either include Rid or Barea in Houston trade or look to move one for depth.

No

I would do that.

I don't see how Harden and Rubio could play together. Both need the ball in their hands to be successful

i think we owe it to ourselves to witness a full season of an offense around Rubio/Love before breaking up the core. There's something about a halfcourt offense around a passing PG and PF that can roll or pop that just seems right. There's so many things we can do and can open up for other players on the floor. Marbury/KG didn't work out, but I think this combo can if we give it a chance to get healthy and bring in a shooter or 2.

Murphs56 wrote:I don't see how Harden and Rubio could play together. Both need the ball in their hands to be successful

This. I mean I could see it but we'd be diminishing their strengths.

[RCG] wrote:

Murphs56 wrote:I don't see how Harden and Rubio could play together. Both need the ball in their hands to be successful

This. I mean I could see it but we'd be diminishing their strengths.

Rubio/Navarro all over again.

Rubio needs a ray allen. Beal comes to mind.

Sakuragi_ wrote:I would do that.

Houston wouldn't, even with McHale's input.

LMAAOOO. Houston would first laugh. Then hang up. Then laugh again.

not a good fit though i would love to have harden on the team

Wolf_Cry wrote:LMAAOOO. Houston would first laugh. Then hang up. Then laugh again.

They wouldn't laugh, it's a legitimate offer, but they wouldn't say yes either.

Its a shame we didn't have these assets last year, Shved + this year's first gets us a Harden.

Murphs56 wrote:I don't see how Harden and Rubio could play together. Both need the ball in their hands to be successful

I think this is short sighted of both players. Harden and Rubio have both proved they can play and thrive with other ball handlers on the floor.

Harden in OKC, yes he was 6th man, but I would venture over 50% of his minutes, including crunch time, was with Westbrook on the floor (and KD who handles too for that matter). Even in HOU, he plays with Lin (a scoring, ball in hand PG), he seems to be thriving in that setting. I don't see how playing with a pass first PG would not work?

For Rubio, hasn't the majority of his starts/minutes come with a PG playing SG (Rid)? Doesn't Adelman's system thrive on a 2 guard set (who can both handle the point)? Doesn't he even get tun with Barea and even Rid and Barea? All of this is a body of work that supports the theory he doesn't have to dominate the ball. Yes, he likes to run the break, but I think Harden would love to receive some Rubio passes on the break.

Houston wouldn't do the trade.

post0115 wrote:Houston wouldn't do the trade.

Probably not. I'm not sure Minnesota would either, tbh. I do think it's pretty fair value-wise, though.

rugbyrugger23 wrote:

Murphs56 wrote:I don't see how Harden and Rubio could play together. Both need the ball in their hands to be successful

I think this is short sighted of both players. Harden and Rubio have both proved they can play and thrive with other ball handlers on the floor.

Harden in OKC, yes he was 6th man, but I would venture over 50% of his minutes, including crunch time, was with Westbrook on the floor (and KD who handles too for that matter). Even in HOU, he plays with Lin (a scoring, ball in hand PG), he seems to be thriving in that setting. I don't see how playing with a pass first PG would not work?

For Rubio, hasn't the majority of his starts/minutes come with a PG playing SG (Rid)? Doesn't Adelman's system thrive on a 2 guard set (who can both handle the point)? Doesn't he even get tun with Barea and even Rid and Barea? All of this is a body of work that supports the theory he doesn't have to dominate the ball. Yes, he likes to run the break, but I think Harden would love to receive some Rubio passes on the break.

I agree. I'm not that concerned about the fit with Rubio. Harden would definitely give the Wolves something it is sorely lacking. On the other hand, a healthy Love would also. I'd probably do it but I doubt either front office would sign off.

i question if love will stay with the organization. i'm also getting annoyed when he voices his displeasure with the media. furthermore, there's really not that many shooting guards on the market that are realistically obtainable. it doesn't offend me as much as it should. rubio and adelman however might not be as optimistic.

imo, a healthy Love is better than a healthier Harden, so I wouldn't do this deal. I think this year's problems are going to do Love a ton of good as a basketball player and as a person, and he is going to be a career T-Wolf.

I could be wrong already, and perhaps Love has burned too many bridges with MN and they are looking for a deal like this for a star type player. Houston fans are always complaining about having too many PF already, so they may not be the best fit.

rugbyrugger23 wrote:

Murphs56 wrote:I don't see how Harden and Rubio could play together. Both need the ball in their hands to be successful

I think this is short sighted of both players. Harden and Rubio have both proved they can play and thrive with other ball handlers on the floor.

Harden in OKC, yes he was 6th man, but I would venture over 50% of his minutes, including crunch time, was with Westbrook on the floor (and KD who handles too for that matter). Even in HOU, he plays with Lin (a scoring, ball in hand PG), he seems to be thriving in that setting. I don't see how playing with a pass first PG would not work?

For Rubio, hasn't the majority of his starts/minutes come with a PG playing SG (Rid)? Doesn't Adelman's system thrive on a 2 guard set (who can both handle the point)? Doesn't he even get tun with Barea and even Rid and Barea? All of this is a body of work that supports the theory he doesn't have to dominate the ball. Yes, he likes to run the break, but I think Harden would love to receive some Rubio passes on the break.

Rubio is not effective when either Ridnour or especially Barea start taking charge of the ball. He can play with them but he's not nearly as effective when he doesn't have the ball.

He also was miserable when he played next to Navarro (another ball dominant guard).
Harden is also at his best when he can dominate the ball.

Worm Guts wrote:

Wolf_Cry wrote:LMAAOOO. Houston would first laugh. Then hang up. Then laugh again.

They wouldn't laugh, it's a legitimate offer, but they wouldn't say yes either.

You think it's a legit offer? I don't think so. For one, Harden is proving he can carry a basketball team while Love's team has yet to finished above 0.500. Secondly, they can simply say why trade for Love when Kevin has stated his unhappy with management and wants out (although he took those words back). Lastly, the SG position in the NBA is as depleted in talent as long as I can remember. There just isn't many great players who can legitimately play the SG position anymore. After Bryant and Wade, Harden is the 3rd best SG in the league, and in many's estimate he will surpass those two in a year or so. Essentially the Rockets would be trading a top 5 player overall, #1 at SG which is a position of most wanted commodity (yes more so than center, no one wins with a center anymore), a player who can create for other teammates and his own shot at an elite level....for a PF who is a good (great when hot) shooter, elite rebounder, but struggles to get his own shot, can't dribble so will always live and die by his jump shot.

Which one would you want?