Sixers Offseason Thread Part 4

[ExplosionsInDaSky]

I think this is very simple as to how things went down. Morey probably had a behind-the-scenes talk with Harden where he told him that he would sign him to a new deal if everything went well with the team. We had incredible regular season success and made it to game 7 in the second round of the playoffs. We had Boston on the ropes briefly towards the end of game six and fell completely apart in the last three minutes. James Harden did have two 40-point games for us in that series and even helped us steal a game without Embiid. After his game 1 and then game 4 heroics I think everyone was ready to sign him to a new deal. Had we closed them out in game six and moved on to face Miami, I think this would have already been done.

I'm sure Harden thought he had done enough in the Boston series to warrant a new deal, but we didn't. After a colossal fail on his part in game 6, he still had another shot at redemption in game 7, yet he followed that up with an even more dreadful performance. At that point, I think the decision was made and we chose to go silent on the matter because I think we knew that a $hitstorm was going to hit us over this. The bottom line is the bad outweighed the good with Harden when it came to playing on the biggest stage and he didn't deserve to be maxed. Not at his age, not in his rapidly declining physical state, no way, no how.

So yeah, it was premature and a bad calculation on the part of Morey to shake hands over a potential extension for James Harden. It makes him look like a scumbag, but does anyone here honestly, truly disagree with Morey changing his stance and saying "No, we aren't maxing you?" I sure as hell don't feel bad for Harden. Bad play in a crucial playoff game followed by total aloofness in the next one should not be rewarded. If he wanted superstar pay, then he should have played like one when we needed him to.

Maxing Harden, after not even getting to the conference finals, would have been the nail in the coffin for the franchise until about 2030. Morey is doing what is best for this franchise both long term and in the short term. It's a tough spot for him as a GM to be in, and I personally think he's handling it like a pro. I don't know why some of you continue to bash him or his moves. The only move he made that I didn't like was the PJ Tucker signing and I think that was done with both Harden and Embiid begging him to make that happen. So I can't even blame him for that one because all he was trying to do was keep his star players happy.

If we had advanced to the Finals OR if Harden was 5 years younger, then yes...Giving him a new contract would have been more than justifiable. Unfortunately for him, he's at the end of his prime and time is running out on his career. Morey should get a golf clap and a standing ovation for not being manipulated by all of this and giving in. In fact, Morey is the best GM we've had here since Sam Hinkie. Give the guy a break.

[SixersSince82]

I think this is very simple as to how things went down. Morey probably had a behind-the-scenes talk with Harden where he told him that he would sign him to a new deal if everything went well with the team. We had incredible regular season success and made it to game 7 in the second round of the playoffs. We had Boston on the ropes briefly towards the end of game six and fell completely apart in the last three minutes. James Harden did have two 40-point games for us in that series and even helped us steal a game without Embiid. After his game 1 and then game 4 heroics I think everyone was ready to sign him to a new deal. Had we closed them out in game six and moved on to face Miami, I think this would have already been done.

I'm sure Harden thought he had done enough in the Boston series to warrant a new deal, but we didn't. After a colossal fail on his part in game 6, he still had another shot at redemption in game 7, yet he followed that up with an even more dreadful performance. At that point, I think the decision was made and we chose to go silent on the matter because I think we knew that a $hitstorm was going to hit us over this. The bottom line is the bad outweighed the good with Harden when it came to playing on the biggest stage and he didn't deserve to be maxed. Not at his age, not in his rapidly declining physical state, no way, no how.

So yeah, it was premature and a bad calculation on the part of Morey to shake hands over a potential extension for James Harden. It makes him look like a scumbag, but does anyone here honestly, truly disagree with Morey changing his stance and saying "No, we aren't maxing you?" I sure as hell don't feel bad for Harden. Bad play in a crucial playoff game followed by total aloofness in the next one should not be rewarded. If he wanted superstar pay, then he should have played like one when we needed him to.

Maxing Harden, after not even getting to the conference finals, would have been the nail in the coffin for the franchise until about 2030. Morey is doing what is best for this franchise both long term and in the short term. It's a tough spot for him as a GM to be in, and I personally think he's handling it like a pro. I don't know why some of you continue to bash him or his moves. The only move he made that I didn't like was the PJ Tucker signing and I think that was done with both Harden and Embiid begging him to make that happen. So I can't even blame him for that one because all he was trying to do was keep his star players happy.

If we had advanced to the Finals OR if Harden was 5 years younger, then yes...Giving him a new contract would have been more than justifiable. Unfortunately for him, he's at the end of his prime and time is running out on his career. Morey should get a golf clap and a standing ovation for not being manipulated by all of this and giving in. In fact, Morey is the best GM we've had here since Sam Hinkie. Give the guy a break.

Mostly all of this, plus...

The new CBA changed the financial landscape of the team and the league in general.
Josh Harris buying the Commanders probably changed the math, too.

[FlyingArrow]

I think it's probably pretty simple... Morey: "We want you long term"

Harden thinks, "Max deal."
Morey thinks, "Market rate, but that'll probably be max."

Harden's market is not close to max. If he holds out, by next summer it might even be a minimum contract.

[76ciology]

Would you guys rather have Harden on a 3-4 years max deal than be in this position were in now?

Im probably ok for a 2-3 year max deal that ends on 2024-2025 or 2025-2026 season. Where we get control most of our picks after that. The shorter contract the better it is

We then count on Maxey to step up and compensate to whatever decline Harden will have. Get another 6th man scorer that can be our back-up option if Harden starts falling off the rails.

For depth, I’d let Tobi go if needed cal flexibility. Then would make some smart signings with back-up or possibly play double big(cheapest and most abundant talent) then also combo guards (second most abundant talent)

By 2024-2025..

Maxey
Harden/6th man scorer (Lou Will type)
Melton? or Springer (interchangeable with Harden)
Reed
Embiid/cheap talent big (Drummond type)

We then continue this path while continuing developing chemistry until we luck ourselves into a championship window with talents falling into place and our guys playing their best basketball by playoffs.

Cheapest and most abundant talent in the league are bigs and combo guards. We just then need to focus on getting the best talent on these back-up positions where the big can play a big chunk of minutes if Biid goes absent then the 6th man scorer can play a big chunk of minutes if Harden goes absent.

But im not too firm on this and would love to here your thoughts

[Wilfried]

Would you guys rather have Harden on a 3-4 years max deal than be in this position were in now?

Im probably ok for a 2-3 year max deal that ends on 2024-2025 or 2025-2026 season. Where we get control most of our picks after that. The shorter contract the better it is

We then count on Maxey to step up and compensate to whatever decline Harden will have. Get another 6th man scorer that can be our back-up option if Harden starts falling off the rails.

For depth, I’d let Tobi go if needed cal flexibility. Then would make some smart signings with back-up or possibly play double big(cheapest and most abundant talent) then also combo guards (second most abundant talent)

By 2024-2025..

Maxey
Harden/6th man scorer (Lou Will type)
Melton? or Springer (interchangeable with Harden)
Reed
Embiid/cheap talent big (Drummond type)

We then continue this path while continuing developing chemistry until we luck ourselves into a championship window with talents falling into place and our guys playing their best basketball by playoffs.

Cheapest and most abundant talent in the league are bigs and combo guards. We just then need to focus on getting the best talent on these back-up positions where the big can play a big chunk of minutes if Biid goes absent then the 6th man scorer can play a big chunk of minutes if Harden goes absent.

But im not too firm on this and would love to here your thoughts

I would just go for the most cap space you can have in 2024 (+ maybe a decent pick). Therefore, let Harden walk.
I really don't see him having + value after next season
And especially since that China video came out, you just cannot have him around the team anymore

Let this season be a semi-reset, while developping Reed and Springer into decent rotational pieces.
Than go all-in on the FA market in 2024 and use our first round pick (and cap space) to develop this team

A lot can happen in 1 season.

[Jhawk03]

Would you guys rather have Harden on a 3-4 years max deal than be in this position were in now?

Im probably ok for a 2-3 year max deal that ends on 2024-2025 or 2025-2026 season. Where we get control most of our picks after that. The shorter contract the better it is

We then count on Maxey to step up and compensate to whatever decline Harden will have. Get another 6th man scorer that can be our back-up option if Harden starts falling off the rails.

For depth, I’d let Tobi go if needed cal flexibility. Then would make some smart signings with back-up or possibly play double big(cheapest and most abundant talent) then also combo guards (second most abundant talent)

By 2024-2025..

Maxey
Harden/6th man scorer (Lou Will type)
Melton? or Springer (interchangeable with Harden)
Reed
Embiid/cheap talent big (Drummond type)

We then continue this path while continuing developing chemistry until we luck ourselves into a championship window with talents falling into place and our guys playing their best basketball by playoffs.

Cheapest and most abundant talent in the league are bigs and combo guards. We just then need to focus on getting the best talent on these back-up positions where the big can play a big chunk of minutes if Biid goes absent then the 6th man scorer can play a big chunk of minutes if Harden goes absent.

But im not too firm on this and would love to here your thoughts

Sure, let's do everything we can to appease Harden

The problem is... Harden needs to first admit one thing. He let fuccing Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown eat his lunch. All he had to do was get past Boston, forget the what if vs Miami OR the finals, just do ONE THING!!

But no, here we are calculating and speculating supposed backroom deals because he couldn't stop Tatum and Brown from ending his max contract career. I wish Harden the best, but 99% of his beef needs to be with Tatum and Brown period. His play and THEY cost him his max deal. This has nothing to do with Morey, Harden had ONE JOB.

[rocketsfan100]

Even if the Sixers offers him the max which they won’t this relationship is finished. I said it before hArden once he decides on something unfortunately he becomes to headstream for his own good

[76thBearCub]

Even if the Sixers offers him the max which they won’t this relationship is finished. I said it before hArden once he decides on something unfortunately he becomes to headstream for his own good

By Felicia

[rocketsfan100]

Harden was asked by khou 11 if things are beyond repair with Philadelphia he answers I think so

[Arsenal]

Harden was asked by khou 11 if things are beyond repair with Philadelphia he answers I think so

So you’re saying there’s a chance!

[76ciology]

Harden was asked by khou 11 if things are beyond repair with Philadelphia he answers I think so

So you’re saying there’s a chance!

I think so

[76ciology]

Would you guys rather have Harden on a 3-4 years max deal than be in this position were in now?

Im probably ok for a 2-3 year max deal that ends on 2024-2025 or 2025-2026 season. Where we get control most of our picks after that. The shorter contract the better it is

We then count on Maxey to step up and compensate to whatever decline Harden will have. Get another 6th man scorer that can be our back-up option if Harden starts falling off the rails.

For depth, I’d let Tobi go if needed cal flexibility. Then would make some smart signings with back-up or possibly play double big(cheapest and most abundant talent) then also combo guards (second most abundant talent)

By 2024-2025..

Maxey
Harden/6th man scorer (Lou Will type)
Melton? or Springer (interchangeable with Harden)
Reed
Embiid/cheap talent big (Drummond type)

We then continue this path while continuing developing chemistry until we luck ourselves into a championship window with talents falling into place and our guys playing their best basketball by playoffs.

Cheapest and most abundant talent in the league are bigs and combo guards. We just then need to focus on getting the best talent on these back-up positions where the big can play a big chunk of minutes if Biid goes absent then the 6th man scorer can play a big chunk of minutes if Harden goes absent.

But im not too firm on this and would love to here your thoughts

I would just go for the most cap space you can have in 2024 (+ maybe a decent pick). Therefore, let Harden walk.
I really don't see him having + value after next season
And especially since that China video came out, you just cannot have him around the team anymore

Let this season be a semi-reset, while developping Reed and Springer into decent rotational pieces.
Than go all-in on the FA market in 2024 and use our first round pick (and cap space) to develop this team

A lot can happen in 1 season.

I wouldnt be asking my OP question if this scenario is bad. I just think in this scenario, keeping Embiid is a bit more tricky. And we dont have a good track record for signing stars via FA. And I dont know how players would look at Morey after this

[76ciology]

Would you guys rather have Harden on a 3-4 years max deal than be in this position were in now?

Im probably ok for a 2-3 year max deal that ends on 2024-2025 or 2025-2026 season. Where we get control most of our picks after that. The shorter contract the better it is

We then count on Maxey to step up and compensate to whatever decline Harden will have. Get another 6th man scorer that can be our back-up option if Harden starts falling off the rails.

For depth, I’d let Tobi go if needed cal flexibility. Then would make some smart signings with back-up or possibly play double big(cheapest and most abundant talent) then also combo guards (second most abundant talent)

By 2024-2025..

Maxey
Harden/6th man scorer (Lou Will type)
Melton? or Springer (interchangeable with Harden)
Reed
Embiid/cheap talent big (Drummond type)

We then continue this path while continuing developing chemistry until we luck ourselves into a championship window with talents falling into place and our guys playing their best basketball by playoffs.

Cheapest and most abundant talent in the league are bigs and combo guards. We just then need to focus on getting the best talent on these back-up positions where the big can play a big chunk of minutes if Biid goes absent then the 6th man scorer can play a big chunk of minutes if Harden goes absent.

But im not too firm on this and would love to here your thoughts

Sure, let's do everything we can to appease Harden

The problem is... Harden needs to first admit one thing. He let fuccing Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown eat his lunch. All he had to do was get past Boston, forget the what if vs Miami OR the finals, just do ONE THING!!

But no, here we are calculating and speculating supposed backroom deals because he couldn't stop Tatum and Brown from ending his max contract career. I wish Harden the best, but 99% of his beef needs to be with Tatum and Brown period. His play and THEY cost him his max deal. This has nothing to do with Morey, Harden had ONE JOB.

For sure. But looking past faults, which is a beating dead horse discussion, which option would be better?

[eyeatoma]

Read on Twitter

[the_process]

Harden was asked by khou 11 if things are beyond repair with Philadelphia he answers I think so

Damage control IMO. The agent finally got through to James to put on a nice front so he's not toxic to the entire league.

[Wilfried]

But Harden does know, if he doesn't play for the Sixers this season, Sixers can block him from being free agent next summer?

[Wilfried]

Would you guys rather have Harden on a 3-4 years max deal than be in this position were in now?

Im probably ok for a 2-3 year max deal that ends on 2024-2025 or 2025-2026 season. Where we get control most of our picks after that. The shorter contract the better it is

We then count on Maxey to step up and compensate to whatever decline Harden will have. Get another 6th man scorer that can be our back-up option if Harden starts falling off the rails.

For depth, I’d let Tobi go if needed cal flexibility. Then would make some smart signings with back-up or possibly play double big(cheapest and most abundant talent) then also combo guards (second most abundant talent)

By 2024-2025..

Maxey
Harden/6th man scorer (Lou Will type)
Melton? or Springer (interchangeable with Harden)
Reed
Embiid/cheap talent big (Drummond type)

We then continue this path while continuing developing chemistry until we luck ourselves into a championship window with talents falling into place and our guys playing their best basketball by playoffs.

Cheapest and most abundant talent in the league are bigs and combo guards. We just then need to focus on getting the best talent on these back-up positions where the big can play a big chunk of minutes if Biid goes absent then the 6th man scorer can play a big chunk of minutes if Harden goes absent.

But im not too firm on this and would love to here your thoughts

I would just go for the most cap space you can have in 2024 (+ maybe a decent pick). Therefore, let Harden walk.
I really don't see him having + value after next season
And especially since that China video came out, you just cannot have him around the team anymore

Let this season be a semi-reset, while developping Reed and Springer into decent rotational pieces.
Than go all-in on the FA market in 2024 and use our first round pick (and cap space) to develop this team

A lot can happen in 1 season.

I wouldnt be asking my OP question if this scenario is bad. I just think in this scenario, keeping Embiid is a bit more tricky. And we dont have a good track record for signing stars via FA. And I dont know how players would look at Morey after this

Well, like i've stated in my last sentence: a lot can happen in 1 season
And a lot depends on Nurse, Maxey, Reed and Springer. I'm still convinced, if Embiid is engaged (or just a mature guy), still believe we can go to the play-offs and maybe semi-finals, who knows.

And than, we'll see if FA's are interested or not.

[Stanford]

But Harden does know, if he doesn't play for the Sixers this season, Sixers can block him from being free agent next summer?

Unless he can't play because he's injured.

[the_process]

If they were going to bend over for Harden, do it BEFORE a **** show starts. If they had given Harden a 3 year max, we would have all complained about it; but would mostly be over it by now and just accepting of the treadmill fate. And no **** show.

Since they are not capitulating apparently, get rid of his loser ***. Just take the friggin expirings for him and Tucker and be done with it.

I wonder how much Harris/Blitzer buying the Commanders is squeezing the Sixers finances.

Morey really needs to go. They need to rebuild and Morey cannot be in charge of that.

[the_process]

But Harden does know, if he doesn't play for the Sixers this season, Sixers can block him from being free agent next summer?

Harden will not sit out. Harden will fake an injury at best. Or show up and take a dump in the fridge, as Spike and Mike put it.