In the hierarchy of people who wanted that deal you had 1) Ownership 2) Player 3) Management. Ownership didn't want the luxury tax and decided instead to diversify assets. Harden would also absolutely not have continued in that role. If that were his desire, why would he balk at their offer over roughly $1M per year? They offered him a deal *very* close to the max.

Presti is clearly above average, not great, but above average.