[BLEACHER REPORT]: Open Willingness From James Harden To Relocate This Summer

[bebopdeluxe]

Gosh, you're right. He didn't use that exact phrase.

Yup. Don't you know that "I want to take my time with it" means "I want to take my time with it before I ABSOLUTELY re-sign with the Nets".

Get with the program, bro.

What an absurd response.

All I said is he didn't say he wanted to explore his options.

I never said hes def resigning with the Nets.

Try reading the conversation before you comment. Thanks.

You do understand how "through the looking glass" this post is...right?

I don't post on RealGM as much as I used to. Is this your go-to move? Get into battles with posters on these ridiculous semantic differences? Huh?

If I read that a player - being asked about their pending opportunity at free agency - says "I want to take my time with it", to say that statement is not synonymous with " I want to explore my options" is ridiculous. I would agree that saying "I want to take my time with it" does not imply that he is definitely going to walk away from his player option and become a FA, and Harden's situation has so many factor that come to bear on it (i.e. who would have cap space to sign him if he became a FA, are there teams that he would use his option to be a FA to force a S&T to his desired team like Butler did with the Sixers) that it is impossible to predict what he will do.

I think Harden likes his current situation. Why wouldn't he? Playing with KD and (sometimes) Kyrie must be great. And even if he wants to stay in Brooklyn, it makes sense that he would keep his cards close to his vest. There is no value to coming out with any kind of declarative statement. But for you to try to suggest that "I want to take my time with it" is somehow different than him saying "I want to keep my options open" seems silly. Both statements project ambiguity and uncertainity.

[Lalouie]

statistically his worst year in recent memory
he's not tied to kd/kyrie nor brooklyn

if the nets win a ring, he got what he came for
if the nets don't win a ring, he'll feel he wasted his time and will go somewhere where he can enjoy his remainder of his career

and he's still good enuf that contenders will want him

he's gone

[Hello Brooklyn]

Yup. Don't you know that "I want to take my time with it" means "I want to take my time with it before I ABSOLUTELY re-sign with the Nets".

Get with the program, bro.

What an absurd response.

All I said is he didn't say he wanted to explore his options.

I never said hes def resigning with the Nets.

Try reading the conversation before you comment. Thanks.

You do understand how "through the looking glass" this post is...right?

I don't post on RealGM as much as I used to. Is this your go-to move? Get into battles with posters on these ridiculous semantic differences? Huh?

If I read that a player - being asked about their pending opportunity at free agency - says "I want to take my time with it", to say that statement is not synonymous with " I want to explore my options" is ridiculous. I would agree that saying "I want to take my time with it" does not imply that he is definitely going to walk away from his player option and become a FA, and Harden's situation has so many factor that come to bear on it (i.e. who would have cap space to sign him if he became a FA, are there teams that he would use his option to be a FA to force a S&T to his desired team like Butler did with the Sixers) that it is impossible to predict what he will do.

I think Harden likes his current situation. Why wouldn't he? Playing with KD and (sometimes) Kyrie must be great. And even if he wants to stay in Brooklyn, it makes sense that he would keep his cards close to his vest. There is no value to coming out with any kind of declarative statement. But for you to try to suggest that "I want to take my time with it" is somehow different than him saying "I want to keep my options open" seems silly. Both statements project ambiguity and uncertainity.

I want to take my time with it. Does not at ALL mean I want to explore my options.

There are a lot of contract negotiations and consideration you have to make as a free agent. That doesn't mean you want to look elsewhere.

Thats just nonsense made up by you.

[Onlytimewilltel]

Harden wants to be somewhere warm, it’s that simple.

If he could get to Miami or LA he will do it.

This is based on what exactly, how is it simple? If it was that simple, why did he force his way out specifically to Brooklyn? He knew it would be cold and gloomy there.

[Onlytimewilltel]

"Is there one last huge payday, asking now for a friend".

But isn’t he getting a huge payday from the nets and turning it down? So how is he looking for one last payday as his biggest motivation if that’s what he’s already turning down from nets.

[DarkXaero]

You're one step away from a career ending injury. But ok...

I don't think it matters much for a player like Harden's caliber. KD was able to get a max in free agency right after tearing his achilles. Harden isn't quite KD caliber perhaps but he's still a former MVP and an All NBA player, I don't think there will be much hesitation to offer him a max or near max.

I'm not sure their levels matter. KD's game is jumpers as a 7 footer basically. Harden's is different...and even being 1 year older is a huge difference once a guy hit 30. 30 vs 31 is suddenly dog years vs human years.

KD is still reliant on mobility though to get to his spots. KD's mobility didn't decline post achilles, he looks exactly the same. Harden's ability to finish this year has drastically been worse compared to previous years. I don't think it's an injury or athletic decline thing, it's a bit of a mystery at this point, although he has been playing much better over last 15 games or so.

[dhsilv2]

I don't think it matters much for a player like Harden's caliber. KD was able to get a max in free agency right after tearing his achilles. Harden isn't quite KD caliber perhaps but he's still a former MVP and an All NBA player, I don't think there will be much hesitation to offer him a max or near max.

I'm not sure their levels matter. KD's game is jumpers as a 7 footer basically. Harden's is different...and even being 1 year older is a huge difference once a guy hit 30. 30 vs 31 is suddenly dog years vs human years.

KD is still reliant on mobility though to get to his spots. KD's mobility didn't decline post achilles, he looks exactly the same. Harden's ability to finish this year has drastically been worse compared to previous years. I don't think it's an injury or athletic decline thing, it's a bit of a mystery at this point, although he has been playing much better over last 15 games or so.

He had an injury that takes a good year plus to fully heal last year. No real shocker...same thing happened to Chris Paul after the same injury.

[bebopdeluxe]

What an absurd response.

All I said is he didn't say he wanted to explore his options.

I never said hes def resigning with the Nets.

Try reading the conversation before you comment. Thanks.

You do understand how "through the looking glass" this post is...right?

I don't post on RealGM as much as I used to. Is this your go-to move? Get into battles with posters on these ridiculous semantic differences? Huh?

If I read that a player - being asked about their pending opportunity at free agency - says "I want to take my time with it", to say that statement is not synonymous with " I want to explore my options" is ridiculous. I would agree that saying "I want to take my time with it" does not imply that he is definitely going to walk away from his player option and become a FA, and Harden's situation has so many factor that come to bear on it (i.e. who would have cap space to sign him if he became a FA, are there teams that he would use his option to be a FA to force a S&T to his desired team like Butler did with the Sixers) that it is impossible to predict what he will do.

I think Harden likes his current situation. Why wouldn't he? Playing with KD and (sometimes) Kyrie must be great. And even if he wants to stay in Brooklyn, it makes sense that he would keep his cards close to his vest. There is no value to coming out with any kind of declarative statement. But for you to try to suggest that "I want to take my time with it" is somehow different than him saying "I want to keep my options open" seems silly. Both statements project ambiguity and uncertainity.

I want to take my time with it. Does not at ALL mean I want to explore my options.

There are a lot of contract negotiations and consideration you have to make as a free agent. That doesn't mean you want to look elsewhere.

Thats just nonsense made up by you.

You mean like the "word salad" of "there are a lot of contract negotiations and consideration you have to make as a free agent"?

What "negotiations" do you expect that Harden will have with the Nets? Huh? Either he 1) opts-into the final year of his contract (the percentage chance of that is probably the same as Blutarsky's GPA at Faber College - "zero-point-zero-zero");, 2) He gets a max extension from them; or 3) he says, "naw, fam - we're done here" - which will likely lead to a S&T.

That is it - unless you think he wants to go to Detroit (ha).

Now, between now and the deadline, I would expect that teams will be looking to clear cap space - not only for Harden, but for Beal, LaVine (possibly) and others. It is why the Sixers are probably looking to clear Harris' contract somehow - to have space to sign Harden outright if they don't want to or can't S&T for him. There is enough smoke around the recent reporting of Morey and Harden that this is not pie-in-the-sky talk, either. If you don't think that there are back-channel, 3rd party discussions about future "intentions" and "interests" that go on ALL THE TIME, then there is a bridge in your town that I would like to sell you.

[Laimbeer]

Yup. Don't you know that "I want to take my time with it" means "I want to take my time with it before I ABSOLUTELY re-sign with the Nets".

Get with the program, bro.

What an absurd response.

All I said is he didn't say he wanted to explore his options.

I never said hes def resigning with the Nets.

Try reading the conversation before you comment. Thanks.

You do understand how "through the looking glass" this post is...right?

I don't post on RealGM as much as I used to. Is this your go-to move? Get into battles with posters on these ridiculous semantic differences? Huh?

If I read that a player - being asked about their pending opportunity at free agency - says "I want to take my time with it", to say that statement is not synonymous with " I want to explore my options" is ridiculous. I would agree that saying "I want to take my time with it" does not imply that he is definitely going to walk away from his player option and become a FA, and Harden's situation has so many factor that come to bear on it (i.e. who would have cap space to sign him if he became a FA, are there teams that he would use his option to be a FA to force a S&T to his desired team like Butler did with the Sixers) that it is impossible to predict what he will do.

I think Harden likes his current situation. Why wouldn't he? Playing with KD and (sometimes) Kyrie must be great. And even if he wants to stay in Brooklyn, it makes sense that he would keep his cards close to his vest. There is no value to coming out with any kind of declarative statement. But for you to try to suggest that "I want to take my time with it" is somehow different than him saying "I want to keep my options open" seems silly. Both statements project ambiguity and uncertainity.

I'm not very familiar with this poster, but it's pretty common for folks to read things differently in regard to their own team. His arguement is silly, but homerism can distort the senses.

[Johnny Bball]

"Is there one last huge payday, asking now for a friend".

But isn’t he getting a huge payday from the nets and turning it down? So how is he looking for one last payday as his biggest motivation if that’s what he’s already turning down from nets.

Higher max, 5 more years. I personally don't think he cares where it comes from and is just setting it up.

[Scalabrine]

Unprotected Nets picks

KD resigned already. He alone will keep that unprotected pick 15 or worst.

He's 33 already. The 24 and 26 picks are both unprotected. He'll be 35 and 37 at those points. Plus swaps in 25 and 27.

[John Murdoch]

Hes not goin anywhere

[kuclas]

Unprotected Nets picks

KD resigned already. He alone will keep that unprotected pick 15 or worst.

He's 33 already. The 24 and 26 picks are both unprotected. He'll be 35 and 37 at those points. Plus swaps in 25 and 27.

Like I said. Half the picks/draft swaps will be done by time Kd really is on the decline. He’s such a gifted scorer. He’s good for 3 more seasons. So he can make it to age 36 as a top 10-15 nba player easily (barring injury).

So the only picks that may be valuable is 26 unprotected pick. Houston may or may not be good by 2025 so we don’t know if draft swaps will be rendered.

Just look at okc draft trades with paul George trade. Even if the clippers tank with injuries. It still won’t even be worth a top 10 pick. Than George and Leonard are healthy again.

[HotelVitale]

KD resigned already. He alone will keep that unprotected pick 15 or worst.

He's 33 already. The 24 and 26 picks are both unprotected. He'll be 35 and 37 at those points. Plus swaps in 25 and 27.

Like I said. Half the picks/draft swaps will be done by time Kd really is on the decline. He’s such a gifted scorer. He’s good for 3 more seasons. So he can make it to age 36 as a top 10-15 nba player easily (barring injury).

So the only picks that may be valuable is 26 unprotected pick. Houston may or may not be good by 2025 so we don’t know if draft swaps will be rendered.

Just look at okc draft trades with paul George trade. Even if the clippers tank with injuries. It still won’t even be worth a top 10 pick. Than George and Leonard are healthy again.

'25 swap and especially the '27 swap definitely might be good too. Potentially really good, if the Nets keep contending for the next couple years and keep making win-now trades. When KD retires or leaves, and if Harden and Kyrie are gone, the team could be spent by '25-'27. Or there could be a KD injury or something that instantly plummets them down the standings.

But a lot of other things could happen. Like they could add someone else pretty strong right now for Kyrie or Harden and end up with a new decent core that can keep them at least out of the low lotto. Or they could add a FA who wants to be in BKN, or find some younger players who are solid along the way. Since there's no incentive to tank for years they might manage to stay treadmilling even after KD goes.

[AussieCeltic]

Gosh, you're right. He didn't use that exact phrase.

Yup. Don't you know that "I want to take my time with it" means "I want to take my time with it before I ABSOLUTELY re-sign with the Nets".

Get with the program, bro.

What an absurd response.

All I said is he didn't say he wanted to explore his options.

I never said hes def resigning with the Nets.

Try reading the conversation before you comment. Thanks.

You know damn well what was implied by Laimbeer and he was right and you were wrong as per usual.

[Ballerhogger]

If he leaves 76ers Ben for harden deal is his best chance to win.

[Ballerhogger]

"Is there one last huge payday, asking now for a friend".

But isn’t he getting a huge payday from the nets and turning it down? So how is he looking for one last payday as his biggest motivation if that’s what he’s already turning down from nets.

Higher max, 5 more years. I personally don't think he cares where it comes from and is just setting it up.

Same I think this way getting Lebron James money etc .!

[Hello Brooklyn]

Yup. Don't you know that "I want to take my time with it" means "I want to take my time with it before I ABSOLUTELY re-sign with the Nets".

Get with the program, bro.

What an absurd response.

All I said is he didn't say he wanted to explore his options.

I never said hes def resigning with the Nets.

Try reading the conversation before you comment. Thanks.

You know damn well what was implied by Laimbeer and he was right and you were wrong as per usual.

I don't know that all.

You sound pressed. Relax.

[mademan]

So what if Harden "ops in" to his current deal before the trade? Would that work around that? Just wondering how it works when he has a player option for an additional year (at least I think he's got another year).

It would, but he'd give up potentially ~10mill in year 1 as well as security. If he gets hurt, he loses out on 100's of millions, and even if he doesnt, 1 down year coming off of injury on a chaotic BRK team could be ignored, but if his play continues to deteriorate, to "just" all star level, teams might think giving him 5 years/200+mill could be crippling.

And contracts dont mean much. I still think even if he doesnt want to be in BRK, he'll take the 5 year max, guarantee himself a quarter billion and BRK will find a trade to accomodate him. It's win-win for them. Harden gets his money and BRK gets their value

But then wouldn't the new TV deal money come in the following year or are we a year off? Cause that new TV deal money could easily cover the 10m loss and then some?

Maybe. But like i said, Harden's already been shown he can get to where he wants and get his money. Nets will give him a 5 year max and thats more guaranteed money than he can get anywhere else. Even the rich guys usually go for the money at the end of the day.

[bebopdeluxe]

Yup. Don't you know that "I want to take my time with it" means "I want to take my time with it before I ABSOLUTELY re-sign with the Nets".

Get with the program, bro.

What an absurd response.

All I said is he didn't say he wanted to explore his options.

I never said hes def resigning with the Nets.

Try reading the conversation before you comment. Thanks.

You know damn well what was implied by Laimbeer and he was right and you were wrong as per usual.

Of course he does. He's folding like a cheap suit.