re: Rorhbach speculates Harden to Pels in one of many scenarios

I understand why multiple sports writers immediately jumped on the “do the rockets trade Harden now?” scenarios, but it’s completely clickbait. The idea that Tillman is cheap = complete rebuild makes no sense. Historically, owners that are cash strapped and cheap don’t bottom out and rebuild, they hang in the “playoff caliber, but non-contender” range for years because they don’t want to miss out on the extra ticket sales in the regular season and playoffs that a 40-50 win team brings. What is much more likely to happen in Houston is they simply run it back the next few years, grab the 4-7 seed, and get bounced early in the playoffs. Harden is not going anywhere for at least the next two years unless he just goes completely nuclear in a trade demand.

I think it also depends on what you think Zion’s timeline and future health is. If you project his career to track someone like Blake Griffin’s and consider his prime to be between his 23-25yoa seasons rather than 28-30, then Harden makes more sense.

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I really dislike Harden....

But if he came to the Pels, then HELL YES!!! He would instantly make us Top 3 contender in the West

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I stand by my statement I've made on the MSB for years now. Harden will never be the best player on a team that wins a title.

He's alia 31 years old.

The biggest question of all, is how willing would he be to overhaul his offensive game? There is no chance I want Harden on this team completely dominating the ball with his level of usage specifically while he dribbles 25 times and everyone else on the floor stands around and watches. Nope, don't want that.

The numbers look pretty. He gets assists so people say, the offensive style works. But we've seen it year after year in the playoffs, Harden just isn't that guy, you simply can't give him the ball in the 4th quarter of a big playoff game and expect him to consistently deliver, quite the opposite has been proven too many times.

So then in 2-3 when Zion's game is truly well rounded and he's ready to be at his absolute peak, Harden will be 35 years old making nearly $50 million.


I'll put it this way, if it was Harden or no other good player for the next few years, I'd take him. But we'll have plenty of chances to get another good to elite player that can fit our squad much better imo.

It doesn’t have to be one or the other. I think Harden would help his development. Harden already yielded more shots to Westbrook this past season. As he ages I can see his game changing as well. Either way there is enough meat on the bone for two guys to be “alphas” in the offense. The issue would become Ingram, not Zion imo. The third man up and beyond all become role players

Does Harden fit the Won’t Bow Down culture and mindset? I’d say no


Not that this matters but I just hate his demeanor sometimes on the court

I kinda hate it too. Especially since we Bowed TF down last season. But I understand the cultural mindset he’s trying to create

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If he was on your favorite team hitting step-back 3’s from the parking lot in people’s faces, you’d love it.

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Until those crucial 4th quarters in the postseason. We've sent that play out enough to know it is what it is with Harden and big 4th quarter playoff games.

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Besides, there’s not a chance in hell Harden is traded for Lonzo Ball, Jrue Holliday and some picks.

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Of course not. That's the ridiculous thing about this discussion. If we're starting with Lonzo and Jrue, then it would probably take something like Jaxson and the rights to Didi and and three 1sts and those pick swaps with the Lakers. Houston would end up getting a package similar to what we got for AD.

The proposed deal of Jrue, Lonzo, and two 1sts was just ridiculous.