L.A. Clippers: The deal of James Harden to the Philadelphia 76ers seemed to be doomed from the start
James Harden’s future is uncertain due to rumors that he wants to join the L.A. Clippers, although such a move is still difficult to complete.
Even though James Harden may have exercised his $35.6 million player option with the Philadelphia 76ers, there are indications that he wants to be dealt to the Los Angeles Clippers. However, NBA writer Mark Medina thinks that such a move may be challenging.
James Harden’s latest NBA news
Although it was widely believed that James Harden would choose to activate his player option with the Philadelphia 76ers in order to become an unrestricted free agency, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports that Harden did so in order to negotiate a trade away from the franchise.
The Sixers, according to Charania’s source, did not see the 33-year-old as a part of their future plans.
The L.A. Clippers and the New York Knicks were among the clubs Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN predicted would be interested in the 10-time NBA All-Star; later rumors suggested that Harden favored playing for the Clippers.
The 2018 MVP Award winner’s asking price, according to a more recent Wojnarowski report, is “exorbitant,” which will make any negotiations with interested teams very challenging.
James Harden, 76ers begin working on a trade out of Philadelphia — with the Los Angeles Clippers expected to emerge as an interested team in Harden, league sources say.
Details at @TheAthletic: https://t.co/FLYnbWVHj9
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 29, 2023
Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports reports that Harden still hopes to play for the Clippers next season, but that his future is undetermined until a deal is finalized.
Does Mark Medina believe James Harden will end up playing for the Clippers?
Medina doesn’t think the 76ers and Clippers will make a deal for James Harden because of the package they would demand in return, according to Medina.
I don’t see it for both sides, the journalist remarked in a statement to GIVEMESPORT. Inquiries concerning his availability have been made by the Clippers. The Sixers have probably calculated how much the Clippers will be prepared to part with in exchange for James Harden. But if that cooperation materialized, I would be quite astonished.
“This is why. In my opinion, the Clippers are only interested in trade for James Harden if they receive any of those player combinations without having to give up Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. So it’s practically already dead when it gets there.
L.A. Clippers: James Harden could be of assistance.
They were considered favorites to win an NBA title together in their first season after the Clippers made a double-play in the 2019 off-season to sign both Paul George and 2-time NBA champion Kawhi Leonard.
“Let me explain. The Sixers would only consider moving for James Harden if they received any of those player combinations. In my opinion, the Clippers are only interested in trading for Harden provided they do not have to give up Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Thus, it is practically already dead when it arrives.
The L.A. Clippers might benefit from James Harden.
After the Clippers made a double-play in the 2019 off-season to sign both Paul George and two-time NBA champion Kawhi Leonard, they were projected as favorites to win an NBA championship together in their first season.
According to the LA Times, they have only played 142 games together with a 96-46 record in four seasons due to both stars’ recurring ailments. They are a powerful force to be reckoned with when everyone is well and playing together, but due to unlucky illnesses that tend to recur at the end of NBA seasons and poor load management, the Los Angeles squad has only ever reached the Western Conference Finals once, back in 2021.
James Harden, on the other hand, has a ton of playoff experience. According to StatMuse, he has played in 160 career playoff games and has averaged 24.7 points, 44.2% from the field, 36.3% from three-point range, 7.0 assists, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game.
Though early in his career, when his former team, the Oklahoma City Thunder, advanced to the NBA Finals with a youthful big three that included Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant, he only had the chance to win one NBA championship.
If the Los Angeles Clippers’ interest in James Harden is genuine, they may need to reevaluate whether their present all-star pair can carry them to a successful postseason run or whether Harden would eventually help them achieve their championship goals.
Only after that can they decide whether it would be appropriate to dissolve the Leonard and PG collaboration in favor of working with the three-time NBA scoring champion in a different capacity.
Still, they continue to be the Clippers, and Harden continues to be 76er, but that could all be subject to change.
