Welcome to Around the Realm, where we look at the top news stories from around the league. If I missed any notable stories, feel free to discuss in the comments!
The Sixers are chasing Harden
Normally it’s not big news when you hear that a team would like to trade for one of the league’s top players, but considering that Daryl Morey just left Houston and joined the Sixers it becomes news. And despite Tilman Fertitta’s insistence that the Rockets aren’t blowing things up yet, the Rockets have a very bleak cap sheet looking forward and Harden makes an obscene amount each season.
"I'm told Philadelphia is expected to be interested in and pursue James Harden"
Our NBA Insider @ShamsCharania reports a Harden move for Houston is currently a non-starter. pic.twitter.com/7JaZH69WLt
— Stadium (@Stadium) November 3, 2020
The Sixers would naturally want to acquire Harden without giving up Joel Embiid or Ben Simmons, but it’s hard to imagine Houston accepting a deal without getting one of those stars in return.
Jrue Holiday is on the trade market
The New Orlean Pelicans are shopping Jrue Holiday, according to The Athletic’s Sham Charania.
The New Orleans Pelicans are openly discussing star Jrue Holiday in trade talks and several contending teams are pursuing, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 4, 2020
Holiday will likely be one of the best players available this offseason via trade or free agency. Holiday is the type of player that could help any contender, but New Orleans will expect a solid return. Holiday probably isn’t the type of player the Kings would be chasing, but it’s still a situation worth keeping our eyes on.
And now for a different type of voting news
The NBPA will vote either late Thursday or early Friday to decide when to begin the NBA season, according to Shams and The Athletic.
Latest reporting via @ShamsCharania…
???? NBPA vote Thursday/Friday
???? Growing belief Dec. 22 start is inevitable
???? NBA, NBPA negotiating three-year escrow
???? Dec. 22 vs. Jan. 18 start ramificationsMore details ⤵️https://t.co/BYEWelzUwi
— The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) November 4, 2020
The big news is that it seems like the players association is beginning to realize that December 22nd is going to be the start date, as they would have to give up too much in exchange for pushing back to January.
The NBPA is holding team calls today, sharing with players details of a proposed agreement with NBA that includes a Dec. 1 start to camps, three preseason games and discussions on a salary escrow for players in the range of 18 percent for the next two years, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 4, 2020
Also of note, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowksi reported that the new schedule will likely include a play-in tournament that includes seeds 7, 8, 9 and 10.
That setup gives the teams who finish the regular season seventh and eighth two chances to secure a postseason berth. The Nos. 9 and 10 teams would have to win twice — without losing — in order to snare one of those two spots. https://t.co/RgSSgTy9B0
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 3, 2020
The play-in tournament added some excitement to the bubble and gives more teams an incentive to remain competitive through the end of the season, which could limit some of the tanking concerns the league has been trying to solve for years.
Gawd, Jrue Holiday in the back court with Fox would be an absolute blast. Plus, Holiday is an excellent defender. Offer Hield & #12.
I suspect that would not be enough to be the best offer New Orleans can get.
Add Holmes or Bjelica?
I’d guess we would have to add a top 5 protected 2021 pick
I can’t imagine trying to put a team around Harden, especially as he ages. He requires so much sacrifice from this teammates. I am a much bigger believer that Simmons can be a part of a great team than Embiid, but I wouldn’t give up either for Harden.
This was the full-page ad that Morey took out when he left Houston – he loooooooooves Harden –
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ekn2Tm8WkAE0Uv0?format=jpg&name=large
I keep having a reoccurring thought that with Houston’s cap situation and McNair’s former ties to Houston that Westbrook will be traded to the Kings and the starting backcourt next season will be Fox and Westbrook. I can’t get that thought out of my head.
I think that Fox’s three-point percentage last season was aberrant, and that he’ll be above 35% going forward, but as things stand, having a back court duo each shooting below thirty percent from distance sounds like defenses will be having Covid parties in the paint.
Holy crap, would that be painful to watch.
Westbrook looked washed in the bubble playoffs this year.
Yup, if he loses a step, he doesn’t have much else to offer. His explosiveness is what makes him special. He’s got a lot of miles on those tire and might be closer to a Steve Francis level of decline in the coming seasons.
We have claimed, for basketball purposes, James Harden. Additionally, we hereby claim J’rue Holiday for the Kings as well.
I claim the Kings Herald as my go-to source for all my Sixers news!
We’re gonna get more disclaimers than package of cigarettes.
1) Why does N.O. want to trade Jrue?
2) Who do you all think will be the suitors and at what price?
These are just what I’ve heard from around the league media outlets.
As much as I like Jrue, I think that New Orleans is on a similar timeline to us, and don’t think Jrue moves the needle enough to make this type of move. This smells of a win-now move to a contender like the Sixers, Bucks, or Nuggets.
I’d imagine it’s either a sell high situation with Jrue, or he politely asked to be moved behind the scenes.
I would imagine teams that were a step away would jump at the chance to grab him. Denver would probably offer Harris, Porter, and a 1st. For Boston, I’d say Kemba, the 14th pick and a future pick would get them close. Don’t know if Milwaukee has the capital to do it, but if NO wants Brook Lopez, they could add him, Bledsoe, and a couple future picks I’d say that gets them close.
But is Jrue better than Kemba? If so, so much that they’d need to include 2 picks!?
I couldn’t definitely see Denver making a push for him. He’d could potentially give them what they need to make the Finals.
Good point. They may only need one pick. But Kemba is on a worse contract and has an extra year on it. I think other teams can outbid a straight up trade easily.
If that’s the going price for jrue, it’s too high. Great job if they can get it though.
Billy Beane all over again. Claim to dream of Bonds, but secretly covet Youkilis.
Oh no! Jerry Reynolds has officially retired!
https://apple.news/Ab0qjJwPJTJm-_bE3xZnWdA
2020 strikes again 🙁
Thanks for making Kings games bearable to watch Jerry!
TKH staff; could you please, please try to set up an interview with Jerry?
I am sure everyone would love that.
Badge Legend