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OK I love Harden. I really like what he brings to te table. But I think we all realize how badly this teams needs a legit center.

Here is the scenario.

Trade Harden and DJ White for the #4 from Minny and draft DeMarcus Cousins.

Then use part of the cap space to sign John Salmons.

We part with Harden but land a center and replace Harden with Salmons who I think is an underrated SG.

/slap

There is no way Minnesota would do this.

Minny fan likes Harden

Favors or Cousins are both much better talents than Harden. Maybe they'd trade us Jefferson for Harden, but not a rookie on a scale contract that makes no sense at all.

I'd rather see OKC keep Harden if at all possible. Personally I think they should try to get a lower lottery pick and go after Hassan Whiteside. If they have to give up Krstic and/or Collison, and the #21 so be it. That would be an easier loss to absorb than the loss of Harden.

Yeah, it would be nice to have Favors or Cousins, but does OKC really need them as opposed to a long, defensive, rebounding C?

Stolen Team Fan wrote:I'd rather see OKC keep Harden if at all possible. Personally I think they should try to get a lower lottery pick and go after Hassan Whiteside. If they have to give up Krstic and/or Collison, and the #21 so be it. That would be an easier loss to absorb than the loss of Harden.

Yeah, it would be nice to have Favors or Cousins, but does OKC really need them as opposed to a long, defensive, rebounding C?

As long as they don't bust out, yes, yes they would be quite nice.

slick_watts wrote:There is no way Minnesota would do this.

There is no way Sam Presti would do this. Id give my left arm and my nuts if Presti traded Harden for Cousins.

Even thou I really like Harden ... SG are easier to find a replacement than a BIG MAN

This just won't happen. Give it up.

I'd trade Harden for Cousins in a second... it's easy to find SG's who can shoot like Harden, it's tough to find a center as big and skilled as Cousins. I think his personal problems are being overblown, as is usually the case in the media...

My point to this thread other than the idea of trading Harden for the #4 is that Harden as good as he is, can be replaced pretty easily every off season.

Salmons made about 5.5mil last year that's pretty damn cheap.

Unless Harden turns into Kobe or D Wade I have no problem moving the guy for a Center. I don't want to trade him for a PF like Al Jeff or Love because I think Ibaka is going to develop into a really solid PF. But if they could trade Harden for a Center I have no problem with that.

slick_watts wrote:I'd trade Harden for Cousins in a second... it's easy to find SG's who can shoot like Harden, it's tough to find a center as big and skilled as Cousins. I think his personal problems are being overblown, as is usually the case in the media...

I watched a couple of his interviews yesterday. It's obvious that DeMarcus isn't very great at expressing himself vocally, he relies on a lot nonverbal communication. Such as rolling eyes, sighing, and what not.

He was answering every question in a seemly curt manner, but he was answering the questions. Is it his fault that most of the questions could be answered with a word or two? I'm not too bothered that the kid offers little to no elaboration. And when he didn't know something he flatly said, "I don't know" At least the kid's honest. Can you see a young Kendrick Perkins expounding his feelings about draft process? Especially under the pressure DeMarcus is facing. Would you still draft him?

At least he crack a smile a few times. He also mentioned that he felt sorry for a fish that he'd recently caught and ate. It's also obvious that he is tired of the stupid questions, can anyone really blame him? I don't think he's a bad apple at all, just misunderstood.

I agree.. he seems like an eccentric personality, not a bad guy. I wouldn't want him on a team where he's expected to be a franchise player, but on a team like ours with an experienced leader and a decent structure I don't think he'd be a problem.

In fact, I think a team like ours or a veteran team with established structure would be best for him. The wrong situation could derail this guy's career.

I agree with your reasoning, wiff, but I don't think Minnesota trades the pick for just James Harden. It's got more value than that. I think we could get Jefferson for Harden if Minnesota wants to take Cousins, but we won't be getting Cousins for only Harden.

PHI trades: Elton Brand, #2 pick (Evan Turner)
MIN trades: Kevin Love, #4 pick (Demarcus Cousins)
OKC trades: #21 pick, #32 pick

PHI recieves: Kevin Love, #21 pick
MIN recieves: #2 pick (Evan Turner), #32 pick
OKC recieves: Elton Brand, #4 pick (Demarcus Cousins)

A trade like this pretty much means we would not be able to extend Jeff Green, but we'd have Durant / Westbrook / Harden / Ibaka / Cousins for the future. Brand's contract would expire when Harden and Ibaka are up for extensions so it wouldn't interfere with them.

It's an interesting premise.

I don't see Sam trading Harden. He fit in very well and he is a major part of the cure for our 3-point woes.
John Salmons will not leave the Bucks he fit in really well this season and there is no reason for him to change it up when he is in what he calls a perfict situation.
Big Men like Favors and Cousions are extreamly talented! But, it looks like Favors has a one way ticket to Newark, NJ the day after the draft. Cousions personality scares me a little bit, but I do think he will be avail @ #5. Sacramento has Hawes, Thomsons, and Laundry. They just might be willing to trade back and pick up some extra picks. That is a trade posibility.
Needless to say trading Harden is not the answer. The answer is to use the cap space and picks we have to get a PF who can be a number 2 but can also be the 5 option and can rebound and play defense. We also need another project Big to push Mullens and someone they can both prastice aganist (Soloman Alabi).

slick_watts wrote:PHI trades: Elton Brand, #2 pick (Evan Turner)
MIN trades: Kevin Love, #4 pick (Demarcus Cousins)
OKC trades: #21 pick, #32 pick

PHI recieves: Kevin Love, #21 pick
MIN recieves: #2 pick (Evan Turner), #32 pick
OKC recieves: Elton Brand, #4 pick (Demarcus Cousins)

A trade like this pretty much means we would not be able to extend Jeff Green, but we'd have Durant / Westbrook / Harden / Ibaka / Cousins for the future. Brand's contract would expire when Harden and Ibaka are up for extensions so it wouldn't interfere with them.

It's an interesting premise.

That does sound interesting, but I don't understand why Minny would do it. Is Love and Jefferson that horrible on the court together?

slick_watts wrote:PHI trades: Elton Brand, #2 pick (Evan Turner)
MIN trades: Kevin Love, #4 pick (Demarcus Cousins)
OKC trades: #21 pick, #32 pick

PHI recieves: Kevin Love, #21 pick
MIN recieves: #2 pick (Evan Turner), #32 pick
OKC recieves: Elton Brand, #4 pick (Demarcus Cousins)

A trade like this pretty much means we would not be able to extend Jeff Green, but we'd have Durant / Westbrook / Harden / Ibaka / Cousins for the future. Brand's contract would expire when Harden and Ibaka are up for extensions so it wouldn't interfere with them.

It's an interesting premise.

I'd do it.

I'd take the gamble that Cousins would fit and you let Green walk.

PG Westbrook
SG Harden
SF Durant
PF Ibaka
C Cousins

If Cousins can live up to 75% of his potential that starting 5 is tough.

We all know the Thunder are not going to take on Elton Brand's contract.

When I see all the different sereniaros fall out theBest one by far is Michael Beasley. The Thunder can get him for a First Round pick next season plus get Miami's #18 pick this season. So the Heat can go out and sign 3 MAX players. It just makes all of the sense in the world. Because he is not that expensive but yet still gives us a chance to add a big.