He'll get a max 80MM deal in Houston.

He's not worth a max contract to OKC. We will find out if he can be the man somewhere. Honestly, even when Thabo went down and they tried to start him he struggled mightily. He had a role he was comfortable in and had the light shinning on KD and Russ. I think it's a bad decision on his part. I have watched every game he's played in the NBA and I love his game, and what he brought to the Thunder, but that number you love so much is about to drop like a rock.

He's certainly a #1 in Houston. He'd definitely be the #1 for the team that I follow in Toronto. He'd honestly be a #1 in a lot of places...I don't blame him at all for wanting to be paid like a #1 instead of being low-balled by OKC.

He'll be getting $25M more out of Houston. Well worth it for him.

But this wasn't really a decision on his part. He just wanted his market value which is completely understandable for a player in his position. It was a decision on OKC's part to deal him and hinder their championship hopes for this season to get something for him.

So the guy that constantly talks about people being media sheep doesn't think about a key member of a team because the media doesn't tell him. Got it!

he's not eligible for an $80 mill contract, as i understand it...where are you getting that number?

I sense frustration in you. It's abundantly clear, though, that Gasol is pretty much an afterthought on this season's Lakers for a great many.

of course he's a #1 if a team signs him to be a #1...that's tautological...

but he's not a guy you build a championship team around, imo...and they'll find that out...

Houston's not winning a championship any time soon regardless of anything they do. The goals there are lower (as they are for about 80% of the NBA).

No one ever questioned him being able to get the money elsewhere. They had no more championship hopes with Harden than they do now.

Ibaka and Westbrook took less than max deals. Really, it was his decision.

I get frustrated with your know it all nonsense. There is no doubt.

Untrue. They're a much better team with James Harden playing 30+ minutes a game for them than Kevin Martin playing 30+ minutes a game.

His decision to take less than a max deal, but not his decision to be traded. OKC could have easily kept him this year.

I haven't written any nonsense here or anything worth getting upset over in the fashion that you are.

Its not about one year. Besides, how do you know they are staying pat with this lineup? Do they not have multiple attractive picks and a huge expiring contract to dump?