The Rockets withdrew from Harden and bound the 76ers, from a bang to a gloomy end
Harden's down-home affair, which has been hot since the middle of the season, has recently come to an end. With the Rockets withdrawing, Harden looked around, and the only family that could be entrusted was the 76ers. Staying in Philadelphia may not be Harden's most satisfying, but it may be his final destination now. From boom to bleak ending, what exactly has Harden experienced?
Today, the Rockets officially withdrew from Harden's bidding war, which made Harden's next home set at the 76ers. Rockets reporter Kelly Iko reported that Harden is reluctant to accept a salary cut for two consecutive years, and the Rockets will not give him that kind of maximum salary contract.
When you think about the midseason, the Rockets are almost the 76ers' worst enemy to keep Harden, when they were determined to get Harden, and Harden was interested in returning to the Rockets. Later, Harden's idea of returning to the Rockets was puzzled by the outside world. Various media flocked to Harden's idea, and Harden could only be scrapped if he returned to the Rockets, and could no longer win the championship.
So, Harden retreated in this flood of doubts. Coupled with the success of the Rockets on draft night, it has raised questions about whether Harden's return will affect the performance of young people. The two sides had doubts in their hearts, and could only go further and further, and finally ended with the Rockets withdrawing from the Harden competition.
Once the wandering began, it could not be stopped. During this period, Harden also communicated with other strong teams in the league and had some ideas, such as the Lakers. The Lakers have the Jam Mei combination, go to Los Angeles to earn enough money, Harden also accepted the hospitality of the Jam Mei combination, like a repeat of the story of Wei Shao. Various media have also studied the partnership of Harden and James after he went to the Lakers. But the Lakers were only focused on renewing last season's heroes, and did not pay much attention to Harden, and James, who was extremely enthusiastic, said that he would not interfere with the team's team-building work. Harden went to the Lakers and there was no follow-up.
Harden's situation can be summed up in one sentence. This was written by Mark Medina, who said that other teams are not particularly interested in Harden, almost unintentional Harden, and the 76ers are almost Harden's only option. He also raised two points that the 76ers are interested in Harden, one is Harden's scoring and organizational ability, the 76ers are still very important, and the other is that the 76ers new coach Nass can use Harden well.
There was only one way left in Huashan, and Harden had to dive in and study the contract. It stands to reason that Harden is expected to get a four-year, $213 million maximum salary contract, but in reality the 76ers will not give this contract. They are more likely to sign a short contract, so that before Harden is completely old, the 76ers still have a chance to get out, not be tied to a big contract, and at the same time make Harden more crisis.
Harden has yet to decide on his final year's $35.6 million player option. The main difference between him and the 76ers today is the length of the contract, Harden wants to sign a long-term contract, and even Harden values the length of the contract more than the starting annual salary. If the contract is executed, Harden may still be traded, although the probability of this happening is too small, Harden still has to keep an eye on it. If the contract is not executed, Harden will not earn $35.6 million in the final year, and he will not bear to sign a contract with a smaller salary.
NBA commentator and 2003 star Jay Williams supported Harden next season, arguing that the 76ers should be replaced by Embiid as the first offensive option, Maxi as the second offensive option, and Harden as a playmaker. He also pointed out pointedly: "Harden is no longer a supergiant with a big contract!" ”
Harden will continue to chase championships if he keeps the 76ers, and the 76ers will continue to be the favorites, but hope is fading. He can also deliver cannonballs to Embiid, but it's doubtful whether Embiid is a leader who can lead the team far, even though he won the MVP. In addition, Harden's status on the team may also give way to Maxi, who is expected to become the new All-Star next to Embiid. Harden's next main task is to "feed" Embiid while also feeding Maxi to a big waist, preferably an All-Star.
At present, in the eastern powerhouse, only the Celtic have made reinforcements and brought in Porzingis; The Heat are still waiting for Lillard, in addition to targeting other targets, the latest news is to fancy Gallinari and Wood; The Eastern Conference powerhouses are only 76ers and the Bucks are still busy with the team's contract extension. But the Bucks have already won a championship, so the most anxious thing right now is the 76ers. Everyone understands the principle of "if you don't advance, you will retreat" in the league, and teams that do not improve can only hide behind others and snort.
The 76ers can only re-sign Harden first, solve the biggest and most headache of the offseason, and have the leisure to take care of other things before they can be selected among free agents. Now, the renewal has reached the last minute, and only Harden verbally promises to renew it. Whether there will be any twists and turns in this matter, and whether Harden can successfully re-sign the 76ers, we will wait and see. (Hairy Daddy/Supine Push-ups)