Sir Charles in Charge
Fansided

NBA Free Agency: How tanking might be the best way to lure LeBron James

By David Early

CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 14: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers listens to LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers after the game at Quicken Loans Arena on December 14, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Lakers 121-112. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 14: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers listens to LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers after the game at Quicken Loans Arena on December 14, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Lakers 121-112. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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Houston

Years of Misery: None, really

They didn’t lose big. They traded well. It was team president Daryl Morey and his then really, really young Vice President Sam Hinkie who began turning players like Rafer Alston into higher upside prospects like Kyle Lowry; then they traded Lowry for a future draft pick from Toronto, (would be12th overall).

They traded older guys like Tracy McGrady and Carl Landry for a pick from The Knicks and Kevin Martin from The Kings. They drafted a promising wing in Jeremy Lamb. And then they traded almost all of that for James Harden.

Harden was already an MVP candidate in Houston before Morey hired Mike D’Antoni, and today may be an MVP. The Rockets have the best record in the NBA, and apparently LeBron might want in.

The Harden trade was so powerful, that back in 2013, Sam Hinkie, would deliver a powerpoint presentation to the Sixers’ ownership outlining how Houston kept accumulating assets with the long-term goal to trade for a superstar. The Sixers loved his outline and plan and made him their new Team President, and then…”The Process” was born.

Lesson to Teams Today: Try and get a Front Office with really smart guys like Daryl Morey and Sam Hinkie. Preferably at the same time. 

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