Woj: Harden Opting into $35.6M Player Option and Demanding Trade from Philly; Wants to Play for the Clippers

[SelfishPlayer]

Haliburton doesn't contribute towards winning, yet... Sacramento got better without him. Philadelphia has championship expectations.

Haliburton will be an MVP candidate sooner rather than later. Morey messed up big time.

I doubt it, as soon as he shoots under 40% from three half of his fans will jump ship.

[BasketballAnon]

Philly's in a weird spot because they will probably be 2nd round exits with or without him. They can't get much out of a one year trade for him but they also can't get much out of a trade for him on a longer deal because Hardern's getting older.

[Hatrick Ewing]

If you look at the championship winners of the last 20 years the majority of them have not been won by these guys that move around all the time.

I mean if you can draft around a Giannis or Jokić and build around them, then great, but that’s not realistic for most teams. Also, KD, LeBron, and Kawhi have won 7 of the last 11 Finals MVPs.

Granted, but James is also a top 3 player of all time and never requested a trade per se, and KD won ships on a team who's next 3 best players were homegrown.

[Stone]

Believe it or not, I am more upset with Harden stabbing the sixers in the back than the Nets. I could understand wanting to get away from Kyrie BS. Seems like the league talent is going west

[Ballerhogger]

Lakers trade resigned dlo for harden who says no?

[madmaxmedia]

I started a Harden opt in and trade to the Clippers for PG thread in the Trades & Transactions forum this morning and not one person responded lol. I demand apologies!

Seriously, I could see it helping the Clippers and the Sixers. I don't think I like Harden's fit with the Knicks. Maybe Herro/Robinson/2FRPs from the Heat gets them Harden instead of Dame?

Because the Clippers are not trading Paul George for Harden...

[NZB2323]

If you look at the championship winners of the last 20 years the majority of them have not been won by these guys that move around all the time.

From 2012-2020 Lebron, Durant, Kawhi, and Iggy won 9 out of 9 Finals MVPs.

[gigantes]

Dude, is there a bigger cancer than Harden, other than Kyrie? He forced his way out of Houston in a really ugly way, helped blow up the Nets in just a year and a half and forced his way out, went to Philly and underwhelmed badly in the playoffs in 2 straight years and now demands a trade again.

I don't think he's THAT much better than Kyrie either. He's pretty much just as bad. Kyrie actively makes teams worse, like as an actual basketball player, so that's the one thing Harden has over him. But Harden has come up hella short in the playoffs for 2 years now, in addition to his perennial playoff choke jobs in Houston, outside of some random explosions here and there.

Kyrie caused the Brooklyn issues, I dont blame Harden for that.

LOL, Harden definitely played a part, a big one too. He was almost as much to blame for that as Kyrie was.

I don't think it's a great analogy. Kyrie is pretty much batsh-t crazy, and endlessly creates issues and drama just because of who he is.

Harden is a lot more lowkey and professional on a day-to-day basis, altho no question he gave up on the Nets, and his professionalism really slipped near the end there. Thing is, that's something that was actually kind of predictable, and something most people would be inclined towards.

I'm guessing the Beard's biggest mistake was in thinking that Kyrie was serious about winning. Maybe he should have done his homework before asking to join the Nets.

[NZB2323]

Signing contracts and demanding trades to play on the team you want is the new trend. Consequences of giving too much power to the players

In a weird way it helps the team because now they'll get something back in a sign-and-trade.

But when it comes to player empowerment, this is where I'm pro-Jimmy Butler but anti-James Harden. Butler just wanted commitment from the organization. He was yelling at the Timberwolves to pay him while kicking ass in practice. Harden violated league COVID protocols by going to strip clubs instead of training camp and demanded a trade, and then showed up to games out of shape.

[DusterBuster]

Anyone would be stupid to give up anything of significance for Harden. This is what, his 5th team in like 5 years? Worst player to bet on in the league, he will just ask out at the drop of a hat.

[Onlytimewilltel]

He’s just a 3 point shooter at this point in his career. He doesn’t offer any play making. His defense is washed.

I can’t imagine how horrible he will be in 2 years.

[Mamba Mentality]

Not sure if this has already been mentioned but Portland has the most strip clubs per capita in the US.

Dame needs to get creative with his sales pitch and rent out the top strip club in the area.

[NO-KG-AI]

As good as Harden is, I can’t see the appeal for anyone knowing he can just change his mind on a whim at any moment. There is just 0 chance you can trust a commitment at all, and it’s hard to build with that. LeBron signs short term deals to leave his options open, but you know you get full effort for that length and all, Harden might give up and want out right smack in the middle.

[ryguy613]

Not sure if this has already been mentioned but Portland has the most strip clubs per capita in the US.

Dame needs to get creative with his sales pitch and rent out the top strip club in the area.

this is funny, but it does raise the question... why wouldnt portland be a bigger player in this trade? i feel like they have the most they could offer the sixers, and you could probably appease dame by getting a "star". seems like a logical landing spot, but i havent even heard them mentioned

[Statlanta]

As good as Harden is, I can’t see the appeal for anyone knowing he can just change his mind on a whim at any moment. There is just 0 chance you can trust a commitment at all, and it’s hard to build with that. LeBron signs short term deals to leave his options open, but you know you get full effort for that length and all, Harden might give up and want out right smack in the middle.

It’s less that he’s non-comittal but more that he’s not that good or healthy anymore. Masai Ujiri is still thanking the stars for that one year of Kawhi even with his health issues and non-commitment. If James Harden was even just Houston Harden in terms of talent and availability a trade for a team would be worth it.

[iggymcfrack]

I started a Harden opt in and trade to the Clippers for PG thread in the Trades & Transactions forum this morning and not one person responded lol. I demand apologies!

Seriously, I could see it helping the Clippers and the Sixers. I don't think I like Harden's fit with the Knicks. Maybe Herro/Robinson/2FRPs from the Heat gets them Harden instead of Dame?

Because the Clippers are not trading Paul George for Harden...

What makes you say that? You think they wanna extend him? You think they’re excited to pay him $90MM the next 2 years and have him walk in free agency? I don’t know who else would want him if the clippers try to move on.

[iggymcfrack]

Harden and Harris for George, Powell, and Covington. Who says no?

[Ballerhogger]

Harden and Harris for George, Powell, and Covington. Who says no?

Clippers

[Mamba81p]

He should have signed the extension with the Nets when he had the chance, and request a trade later.

[Elnegron]

The only thing that can save poverty 76ers franchise is if clippers get crazy enough and trade pg13 for harden and that wouldn't even get them a ring either. They sold their soul for a 1 year rent of harden dumping all their picks. All that was karma for trading away Jimmy, the only player that almost took them to the finals. They could have gotten a shot a dame if they had picks