James Harden, who is expected to discuss a contract extension with the Nets before the season begins, is changing representation, according to Jordan Schultz of ESPN (Twitter link).
As Schultz reports, Harden is parting ways with agents Jason Ranne and Chafie Fields of Wasserman, who had a hand in facilitating the trade that sent the All-Star guard to the Nets. Harden’s new agent will be his friend and business manager Lorenzo McCloud, according to Schultz, who says the NBPA will have a hand in Harden’s representation as well.
Here’s more from around the Atlantic:
- The trade kicker in Marcus Smart‘s new extension with the Celtics will be worth either $1MM or 15% of his remaining contract, whichever is lesser, tweets Keith Smith of Spotrac. Based on the terms of Smart’s deal, $1MM should always be the lesser amount, so that’s the amount of the bonus he’d receive if he’s traded.
- Paolo Uggetti of The Ringer takes a look at where things stand with Ben Simmons, suggesting that if the Sixers are willing to hang onto the All-Star guard through the offseason rather than trading him, it signals a belief in their culture and development program.
- After spending his rookie season learning from veteran point guards Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet, Raptors guard Malachi Flynn is prepared to take on a more significant role behind VanVleet in 2021/22, writes Blake Murphy of The Athletic. Flynn would be in line for an even bigger bump in minutes if Toronto ends up trading Goran Dragic.
According to article
Ben Simmons considered not showing up on training camp next month
4 teams are interested in Simmons
Wolves
Spurs
Blazers
Warriors
That article is based off a random scout that was guessing it’s possible. So essentially worthless info.
Must added grizzlies
Sounds like they’re just saying “Trust the Process” all over again.
Most important part of the article:
Simmons takes 88% of his shots w/in 10 ft.
Giannis – who is often compared to Shaq – only takes 65%.
It just goes to show HOW one dimensional Simmons really is as a scorer, and how far he is from being a center piece offensively.
Giannis is not a good shooter. But his semblance of a mid-range game and willingness (perhaps too much so) to at least attempt 3s at least gives him offense the diversity needed to be a focal point (he’s also better at the rim than Simmons).
If the Nets acquire a Center to dominate the boards and defensive end, injuries alone may stop the Nets. I don’t know if Nets’ management hopes Harden (and Kyrie) take a discount to help the Nets round out the roster, I hope they do
They would have to take a massive discount. Harris, Jordan, and Durant already account for like 70 million. Even if the took 50%, that’s still be another 40-50 million, with the cap at 112 there isn’t much room to add anyone of significance with “cap room”
Good points.
I have an unpopular opinion, yet it’s logical: the Nets, with Harden, Kyrie and KD, no longer require Joe Harris because he’s at his best when he’s free to shoot as soon as he catches the ball and with our Big-3, he cannot be as effective. Trading him for a guy like Myles Turner is what I’m hoping Sean Marks strongly considers before the trading deadline
While I’m a fan of Harris, if Myles Turner is moved for him, Pritchard should be fired instantly, just b/c of all the things he can do defensively as a big
Also, the Nets did a good job of adding defensive pieces that fit, for the most part, to the point this is the first time I would consider them a threat, where I didnt for a single second last year. Part of that depends on of Nash messes up again, but KD kind of almost did it by himself last year, so I think the additions on the roster should give them a good chance if they use them right. I do question the need for someone like Patty Mills, but I like the free young pieces they got, and you could see they made a clear effort to address certain things with all of the defenders they brought to summer league
The Nets aren’t going to operate under the cap for quite some time, in fact very few teams do these days. There are only five teams spending less than the $112.4M salary cap right now: Orlando, San Antonio, Charlotte, Detroit, and OKC. The Hornets are the only one of those five with any realistic playoff aspirations next season.
I’m sure that Harden and Kyrie will “take a discount” just like Curry did.
Once again, Wally Wood demonstrates his weird GS obsession.
Nets have 4 centers potentially in Griffin, Jordan, Claxton and Sharpe. Why would they need to trade or sign a Center?
@KnickHeat, Griffin is best at the 4. He’s not protecting the rim or calling out defensive assignments. Plus, an unwritten rule is “you are who you can guard”. Nobody is stopping Giannis, perhaps the #1 PF in the League next to Anthony Davis. Blake did the best he could and we need more from him going forward.
DeAndre Jordan couldn’t even get garbage minutes in the Playoffs. Unless he’s incredibly lighter and agile coming out of summer training, Steve Nash will look elsewhere.
Claxton is a Power-Forward stuck playing Center for us. If I were running things, I’d have him and Blake competing to start at Forward. He has good defensive instincts, but lacks the weight and experience to effectively man the Center position.
Day’Ron Sharpe is a rookie I like. I look at his game and quickly see a guy who can replace DeAndre Jordan right away. Will Steve Nash rely upon a rookie to play important minutes in the Playoffs? I seriously doubt it. That’s why I argue the Nets should seriously consider trading Joe Harris for a legitimate starting Center
@D_rock I understand your Analysis but they are paying these guys number 1 and they have a big payroll. Secondly Blake played Center last season over the others so I guess they like him there. I do not see Claxton as a 4although some do. Joe Harris may be expendable but I think they like him
Wow, Smart will get One Million Million Dollars if traded
Can’t hurt lol
Best scenario is Raptors give Flynn lots of minutes early in the season when it then becomes evident that he’s not part of any future. GL here he comes. Lets get a real prospect.