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The stories of the Nets trying to build a “Big Three” just won’t go away. And the last is the addition of the game’s biggest goalscorer: James Harden.
Managing Director Sean Marks told the UK-based Leaders Performance Institute that he discussed Nets culture with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, it’s the evolution of a team built on rough diamonds to a team with the star talent to challenge the NBA Championship. Hunting people like James Harden might be fine with this bill.
Russell Westbrook having asked Houston before, the perception is that Harden could be close behind in the market. Brooklyn could be a potential landing point, along with Philadelphia, according to ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins.
It should be noted that Perkins played with Harden and Durant in Oklahoma City and was one of the first to suggest that the latter would end up in the Nets’ last offseason. For that reason alone, Perkins’ comments on Thursday’s “first take” that Harden might follow the same path to Brooklyn cannot be dismissed out of hand.
There are other more likely potential additions (Jrue Holiday, Serge Ibaka), but none are more talented. Harden has averaged 34.3, 36.1 and 30.4 points over the past three seasons, winning the title scoring every time. And at 31, he’s still in his prime, which is why Houston will claim – and likely get – the farm for Harden.
With $ 131.5 million left on his contract – including a $ 46.9 million player option in 2022-23 – Brooklyn is expected to make wages work. Former Nets assistant general manager Bobby Marks – now at ESPN – cited Brooklyn as one of five teams with the assets and draft capital to satisfy Houston, offering a combination of Caris LeVert, Jarrett Allen, Spencer Dinwiddie , Taurean Prince and choices.
Yet the Celtics, Nuggets, Warriors and 76ers have all been named by Bobby Marks as contenders as well. And Philadelphia – also mentioned by Perkins – just hired Daryl Morey, the former Rockets general manager who brought Harden to Houston and has indicated he could trade for him again if he becomes available.
Even though Brooklyn does not win the draw for Harden, it is believed that they are looking for a strong striker. They couldn’t do better than Ibaka.
The 7-footer played with Durant, Harden, Westbrook and new Nets assistant Royal Ivey in the OKC squad that reached the 2012 NBA Finals. Durant and Ibaka have remained close throughout the years, the Nets star attending the Ibaka cooking show a year ago and saying they might end up joining forces and winning a title together.
Now Durant tries to recruit Ibaka in Brooklyn, according to Forbes. From adding DeAndre Jordan this last offseason to hiring Steve Nash and Ivey for this offseason, it’s clear how Durant’s friendship carries. The question is, how much is Ibaka worth playing with him again?
Ibaka is going to take a pay cut from last season’s $ 23.3 million paycheck, but how much? The Nets can only offer the middle tier taxpayer exception, which would be $ 5.7 million this coming season and a maximum of $ 18 million over three years. Some suitors might have the non-taxpayer MLE of $ 9.3 million.
At 31 with $ 120 million in career earnings, would Ibaka take less to hunt another ring? He has gas left in the tank, averaging 15.1 points and 8.1 boards. With Jordan and Jarrett Allen both devoid of jumpers, he would give the Nets enviable flexibility in the lineup. Nash could deploy Ibaka in the center with five shooters or use Durant for a little forward in a 6-10 frontcourt.
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