Post#290 » by O_6 » Wed May 6, 2020 8:56 pm
Tom Thiboeau
Jeff Van Gundy
Ugh, I know Harden has been putting up big numbers in Houston before D'Antoni got there, but I think it's obvious that D'Antoni has helped maximize his offensive strengths.
Going from forward-thinking D'Antoni to possibly 90s-ball lovers in Thibs/JVG, clearly dealing with an incompetent owner who could be in financial hell due to the pandemic, so much of his team's success dependent on Westbrook who is turning 32 in November, turning 31 himself in August... I'm really not liking the next 3 year outlook for Harden if he stays in Houston.
If Houston is loses in the 2nd round of the playoffs this year as expected (assuming we have a playoffs), I have a feeling that Morey's plan (if Morey isn't fired) will involve running it back with Harden/Westbrook one more time in 2021 under a different coach. If that fails, he is going to shop Harden to optimize the rebuild.
Could Morey actually give up on the Harden/Westbrook tandem early and pull off a 24 year old Devin Booker for a 31 year old Harden swap this off-season? Something like Booker/Cam Johnson/Kaminsky for Harden? It would make the Suns a legit contender if Ayton improves and it would give Houston more depth + a Franchise player entering his prime as opposed to nearing the end of it.
The last paragraph was just pure fun speculation, don't know how realistic that would be. But I think we are about to enter a new chapter in James Harden's career, whether it's in Houston or somewhere else.