Welcome James Harden!

[mjkvol]

Houston is apparently very confident Harden is coming back.

A giant TPE and shedding the choker wouldn't be the worst thing in the world, except now you have to replace him. Would the Wiz take a 29 1st straight up for Beal (salary into the Harden TPE)? That's your only possible play.

Harden possibly leaving is just one of the reasons D'Antoni will be the next coach.

I'm really stunned that anyone seriously would want Bradley Beal here. We have a better and much younger version already, who is improving every season.

[ExplosionsInDaSky]

If we basically trade out Harden for Bradley Beal (essentially), I'm going to hope for the best with the situation. I think Beal is a terrible fit with Maxey and every bit the career loser that James Harden is. The one draw for me would be that Beal currently is better than James Harden. I mean, he can still score at will on anyone in this league. Yet, maybe Maxey can become that player too for us, and if he can, then I'd rather take Harden over Beal due to fit.

I'm 50/50 on Harden leaving. I think as a team we were closer than we think to the Finals. I think we will prove to have been Bostons toughest opponent when this is all over with. If we're truly that close, then I'm fine bringing Harden back with the idea that Maxey will now be transitioning into being our closer and lead guard.
If Harden decides to walk and we get a trade exception of some kind or we have a way to recover from him leaving then I feel that can be done a few different ways. It doesn't just have to be a Harden replacement that we have in mind.
For what it's worth, I do think Harden simply opts in and comes back for one last run with us. He'll have had two full seasons with Embiid, Maxey is an ascending player in his own right, it's not a bad trio of players to have. The upgrades we make I think should be focused towards a coach with new energy (we fired Doc so there's that), a trade of Tobias Harris for extra depth, and a couple of under the radar but smart free agent additions. A couple of older players for the vet minimum or close to it would be cool as well. I like Jae Crowder, and TJ Warren as affordable additions to this team should we trade Tobias Harris and suddenly have a void of scoring created.
I'm going to put my faith in Morey this offseason to get us excited for October.

[ExplosionsInDaSky]

Ok...So he's declining his option for next season. **** about to get real here.

[Arsenal]

Houston is apparently very confident Harden is coming back.

A giant TPE and shedding the choker wouldn't be the worst thing in the world, except now you have to replace him. Would the Wiz take a 29 1st straight up for Beal (salary into the Harden TPE)? That's your only possible play.

Harden possibly leaving is just one of the reasons D'Antoni will be the next coach.

I'm really stunned that anyone seriously would want Bradley Beal here. We have a better and much younger version already, who is improving every season.

If it comes down to Harden for Beal vs. Harden for nothing, I'll gladly take Beal.

[ProcessDoctor]

Beal is a bigger loser than Harden. Let's get that part sorted out. He's never played to the level that Harden has and never will. If it's Harden leaving for nothing and Beal walking in, sure. But I don't think we should pretend our team would be better off with Brad than Harden.

[Jay555]

Beal is a bigger loser than Harden. Let's get that part sorted out. He's never played to the level that Harden has and never will. If it's Harden leaving for nothing and Beal walking in, sure. But I don't think we should pretend our team would be better off with Brad than Harden.

Well if you get MDA, it's gonna be interesting tho. He might turn Beal/Maxey into a sick back court.

I do not see a path to get Beal anyways. Not sure why we keep bringing him up.

[Kobblehead]

The benefit of Beal is that

1. He was Embiid's handpicked preference of a co-star.

2. He'll be better and more productive on his current contract than Harden will be on his next contract.

[ExplosionsInDaSky]

$hit is about to get real for us in Philly. Harden just opted out. Now the possibility of Embiid being moved goes up enough to at the very least cause some slight anxiety. Now Portland is looking to trade away the 3rd pick! I don't know man...We fired Doc, Harden just walked, Portland wants to do business with the third pick. That pick will be either Brandon Miller or Henderson depending on who's left. Things are going to get interesting over the next month as the postseason ends.

I hope to God we're not trading away Joel Embiid, but if there was ever a time to sell high, it's now. Rough postseason or not, he just won the MVP award. Again, let me reiterate that I in no way want to move him. I will be devastated if it happens, but there's no way Morey and company have not discussed it behind closed doors. The absolute most value you're going to get for him is going to be whatever you can get now. I can see why some people have mentioned it. With Harden opting out AND us firing Doc, I'm getting a little worried here.

[Negrodamus]

Wouldn't Harden have to consent to doing S&T? Is there any other benefit for him to do that?

[ExplosionsInDaSky]

Wouldn't Harden have to consent to doing S&T? Is there any other benefit for him to do that?

He just opted out. We may not be getting anything.

[Arsenal]

Wouldn't Harden have to consent to doing S&T? Is there any other benefit for him to do that?

So he can go to a contender instead of a bottom feeder like Houston.

[Jay555]

$hit is about to get real for us in Philly. Harden just opted out. Now the possibility of Embiid being moved goes up enough to at the very least cause some slight anxiety. Now Portland is looking to trade away the 3rd pick! I don't know man...We fired Doc, Harden just walked, Portland wants to do business with the third pick. That pick will be either Brandon Miller or Henderson depending on who's left. Things are going to get interesting over the next month as the postseason ends.

I hope to God we're not trading away Joel Embiid, but if there was ever a time to sell high, it's now. Rough postseason or not, he just won the MVP award. Again, let me reiterate that I in no way want to move him. I will be devastated if it happens, but there's no way Morey and company have not discussed it behind closed doors. The absolute most value you're going to get for him is going to be whatever you can get now. I can see why some people have mentioned it. With Harden opting out AND us firing Doc, I'm getting a little worried here.

This is why I cringe when folks here go "Let him walk" or "S & T".

Lol. Do some research please.

Harden walking means a blow up may be in the play.

Harden S & T. Why would he do that unless he absolutely wants to?

Will say it again. There is a reason sixer are all in on bringing him back.

[Arsenal]

Wouldn't Harden have to consent to doing S&T? Is there any other benefit for him to do that?

He just opted out. We may not be getting anything.

There was always a 100% chance of him opting out unless he suffered a major injury, which he didn't. So it's not a surprise to anyone who has been paying attention.

[Arsenal]

The benefit of Beal is that

1. He was Embiid's handpicked preference of a co-star.

2. He'll be better and more productive on his current contract than Harden will be on his next contract.

Plus Beal can play off the ball, which is a major problem for Harden.

[NYSixersFan]

Harden has played 23 playoff games for us....17 have been bad or awful. 2 were great, 1 very good, 3 good.

Why the hell do we want this loser to come back?

This hysteria by some in the media and fans that if Harden walks we're screwed....ridiculous.

Maybe do some research on the salary cap situation and the ramifications of Harden walking before you commented..

Google "what happens if Harden walks".

And think whether a GM or owner with sanity would do that.

There is a reason 76ers are all in on bringing him back.

I know you've had a rough few days (assuming you're a RM fan), but calm down. I know the rules quite well.

We're not screwed if Harden leaves because We're not making it past the 2nd round with him.

In terms of cap ramifications, We'll have the full mid level exemption to sign a solid player and We'll have 60 million in expiring contracts to upgrade the roster.....and hopefully a coach that will give guys like Reed and Springer more of an opportunity.

[youngcrev]

$hit is about to get real for us in Philly. Harden just opted out. Now the possibility of Embiid being moved goes up enough to at the very least cause some slight anxiety. Now Portland is looking to trade away the 3rd pick! I don't know man...We fired Doc, Harden just walked, Portland wants to do business with the third pick. That pick will be either Brandon Miller or Henderson depending on who's left. Things are going to get interesting over the next month as the postseason ends.

I hope to God we're not trading away Joel Embiid, but if there was ever a time to sell high, it's now. Rough postseason or not, he just won the MVP award. Again, let me reiterate that I in no way want to move him. I will be devastated if it happens, but there's no way Morey and company have not discussed it behind closed doors. The absolute most value you're going to get for him is going to be whatever you can get now. I can see why some people have mentioned it. With Harden opting out AND us firing Doc, I'm getting a little worried here.

Harden was always opting out, so that shouldn't concern you. And if anything, Doc being fired points more towards him staying.

I'm a little worried about the amount influence he may have over the coaching decision (and how Embiid feels about that) and the uncomfortable salary commitment he ends up with.

Best case scenario both he and Embiid are brought in on the coaching decision and agree, and Harden ends up on another 1+1 deal.

[rocketsfan100]

Not sure how reliable sam amico is but he says harden will most likely return to Philadelphia that new coach will be appointed. I’m guessing it’s either MDA or Nurse. Maybe Sam because he liked Sam Cassell

[mjkvol]

Houston is apparently very confident Harden is coming back.

A giant TPE and shedding the choker wouldn't be the worst thing in the world, except now you have to replace him. Would the Wiz take a 29 1st straight up for Beal (salary into the Harden TPE)? That's your only possible play.

Harden possibly leaving is just one of the reasons D'Antoni will be the next coach.

I'm really stunned that anyone seriously would want Bradley Beal here. We have a better and much younger version already, who is improving every season.

If it comes down to Harden for Beal vs. Harden for nothing, I'll gladly take Beal.

We'll just have to disagree. Beal is Tobias Harris with better scoring numbers, a career stat sheet filler on losing teams. Harden has led contending teams and had playoff success, while having some notable failures. I'll take my chances with a guy who has at least played on winning teams.

[ExplosionsInDaSky]

Wouldn't Harden have to consent to doing S&T? Is there any other benefit for him to do that?

He just opted out. We may not be getting anything.

There was always a 100% chance of him opting out unless he suffered a major injury, which he didn't. So it's not a surprise to anyone who has been paying attention.

I don't know man. He's quoted as saying he wants basketball freedom. In other words he just wants to play hoops his way. Maybe that's why we fired Rivers, but to me this tells me he's going somewhere else.

[rocketsfan100]

Beal is the king of empty stats. Has he even led a team to the second round?