The Only Reason Why James Harden Opted In With The 76ers Was To Force A Trade To The Clippers

James Harden knew where he wanted to go from the very beginning.

3 Min Read

Credit: Fadeaway World

  • 76ers point guard ‘surprised’ some within the organization after opting-in
  • Harden knew the team he wanted to go
  • Clippers and Sixers are still in ongoing discussions on a potential deal

After just 79 games with the Philadelphia 76ers, James Harden attempted to cut ties with the franchise this summer by making a trade demand for the third time in his career. With eyes only for the Clippers, James hasn’t done Philly any favors as they try to find an offer to their liking.

Unfortunately for Harden, opting into his contract means that he could still be on the Sixers’ roster by the start of the season. For Harden, however, the game was worth it given that it’s the only way for the Clippers to acquire him.

“Some with the Sixers were a little bit surprised James Harden opted into the final year of his player option,” wrote Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. “Harden knew the team he wanted to go to, the Clippers, and the only way to get there and get his money was to opt in because of their restrictions with the salary cap. There’s still been dialogue between the two teams.”

With Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, and a bench full of established veteran players, the Clippers don’t have any extra money to send. So for a Harden deal to even be possible, it would require several players to come off the books.

For now, while the Clippers are reportedly interested, they aren’t willing to offer much in exchange for James, who has seemingly gone out of his way to land in Los Angeles.


Can Harden Win A Title With Paul George And Kawhi?

Harden is undoubtedly an All-Star-level player, but he’s not quite as good as he used to be. In fact, since leaving the Rockets back in 2020, he has yet to return to his MVP form and most believe that side of his game is already gone.

This past season, Harden made himself useful as a playmaker and distributor for the 76ers with an average of 21 points and 10.7 assists per game on 44% shooting.

Obviously, his strengths combined with Kawhi Leonard and PG can surely win a title but the question is whether or not all three of them will be consistently on the floor together.

If not, then Harden may come to regret forcing his way to Clipper land…

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Nico Martinez is a veteran staff writer for Fadeaway World from Brooklyn, New York. He joined Fadeaway World in 2016 and is currently residing in Columbia, South Carolina. Nico holds a degree in Sports Management from Columbia International University where he built a strong foundation in the inner workings of sports media and management. Nico's contributions have significantly enhanced the credibility and depth of Fadeaway World's content, earning him recognition across the sports journalism community. His work has been discussed in prestigious publications like Sports Illustrated. A dedicated follower of LeBron James, Nico often leads coverage on news related to the basketball star. With nearly a decade of experience in sports journalism, Nico consistently provides comprehensive and timely basketball news, engaging a wide audience of basketball enthusiasts.Nico's most desired player to interview, past or present, is Kevin Durant. He is particularly keen on asking Durant if he has any regrets about his career, especially concerning his departure from the Oklahoma City Thunder, and why he engages so much with fans on social media. 
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