James Harden has been traded to the Los Angeles Clippers along with PJ Tucker and Filip Petrusev for Marcus Morris, Nic Batum, Robert Covington, KJ Martin, multiple draft picks, and a pick swap going to the Philadelphia 76ers.
“The Sixers are acquiring Marcus Morris, Nic Batum, Robert Covington, KJ Martin, multiple draft picks and a pick swap for James Harden, PJ Tucker and Filip Petrusev, sources tell ESPN..”
The Sixers are acquiring Marcus Morris, Nic Batum, Robert Covington, KJ Martin, multiple draft picks and a pick swap for James Harden, PJ Tucker and Filip Petrusev, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/fSOkgO5xd3
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 31, 2023
Harden has been in a trade saga with the Philadelphia 76ers ever since the start of free agency, where the 76ers informed him they wouldn’t be extending his contract. Despite that, Harden accepted the player option on his contract and requested a trade.
The Clippers have been the only team interested in a Harden trade ever since he became available, with the teams finally agreeing on terms despite many disagreements over the last four months.
The Clippers Load Up For A Tough Western Conference
The Western Conference is arguably the deepest it’s been in terms of the Nuggets up ahead as the favorites and everyone else in a tight group to be second-best and upset the Nuggets. The Clippers seemingly feel behind the likes of the Suns, Lakers, and Warriors this summer, with no major additions to the roster.
They tried trading for Malcolm Brogdon as the third team in the Kristaps Porzingis trade, but Brogdon failed a medical and their participation in the deal fell through. They’ve been the only team pursuing Harden for months and have parted with expiring contracts, giving the 76ers cap flexibility next summer.
They’ve started the season 2-1, with their entire team healthy at the moment. Russell Westbrook has been decent at point guard, averaging 11.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 6.7 assists, but his lack of spacing and poor decision-making continues to haunt his value. He’s been efficient in his limited shots, shooting 60.0% from the field in this small sample size.
For all his flaws, Harden brings a lot of good assets to the table. His playmaking is among the best in the league and he’s still a high-level scorer, just that he doesn’t score like the prime version of himself. He averaged 21.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 10.7 assists last season and will be the true floor general this team needs. Whether Westbrook starts alongside him or comes off the bench will be an interesting development.
This trade gives the Clippers a core of four Cali-born players ready to break the Lakers’ stranglehold on the town and finally compete for a title. A lot of question marks remain, but this is a sign that the Clippers are pushing it all to win now.
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