After two seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers, All-Star James Harden acquired his want and was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday.
The James Harden saga has formally come to an finish in Philadelphia. In the midst of the evening on Monday, Harden was shipped to the Los Angeles Clippers for Marcus Morris, Nic Batum, Robert Covington, KJ Martin, a 2028 unprotected first-round choose, and two-second-round picks and a choose swap. In return the Sixers despatched veteran P.J. Tucker and Filip Petrusev to the Clippers. A 3-team commerce, the Clippers despatched a 2027 first-round choose to the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder in alternate for a 2026 first spherical choose. Because of this, Philadelphia has waived journeyman Danny Inexperienced.
BREAKING: The Philadelphia 76ers have agreed on a commerce to ship guard James Harden to the Los Angeles Clippers, sources inform ESPN. pic.twitter.com/wAyuJKMfAw
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 31, 2023
Clippers get:
James Harden
P.J. Tucker
Filip Petrusev
76ers get
Nic Batum
Robert Covington
Marcus Morris
KJ Martin
1st Spherical Decide (Thunder)
Two 2nd Spherical Picks (Clippers)
2028 1st Spherical Decide (Clippers)
Collectively once more 💙
Russell Westbrook and James Harden are the one gamers in NBA historical past to deliver residence a number of scoring and help titles. pic.twitter.com/ap86ZZTmTj
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 31, 2023
Harden joins his fourth group in two years
This is not James Hardens first rodeo in terms of commerce requests. After spending his first three seasons with Oklahoma Metropolis, Harden was traded to Houston again in 2012 after failing to achieve a contract extension with the group. From there, the guard spent 9 seasons in Houston, earlier than requesting a commerce out. In 2021, James Harden was traded to the Brooklyn Nets, and shaped a ‘Large 3’ with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. Only a 12 months later, Harden was sought one other commerce out of Brooklyn.
This time, his request was to be traded to Jap Convention rival Philadelphia 76ers. His major motive? He wished to reunite with Daryl Morey, who was the Common Supervisor of the Houston Rockets throughout his tenure there. Morey, now the President of Basketball Operations for the Philadelphia 76ers discovered himself in a tumultuous relationship with the Sixers guard.
This previous summer season, Harden referred to as Morey a “liar,” and the connection was unrepairable. At one level Harden said, ““I’ll by no means be part of a corporation that he’s part of.” Months after requesting a commerce to the Clippers, Harden is now reunited with Russell Westbrook from their Oklahoma Metropolis days.
James Harden has now been on 4 completely different groups since 2021 😳
Houston Rockets – 2021Brooklyn Nets – 2021-22Philadelphia 76ers – 2022-23Los Angeles Clippers – 2023-present pic.twitter.com/maGjteuDOf
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) October 31, 2023
In his sixteenth profession season, James Harden has 14 profession playoff appearances, during which he is by no means made it to the NBA Finals. He now joins a gifted Clippers group, which now consists of Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Russell Westbrook, Ivica Zubac, P.J. Tucker amongst others. In his NBA tenure, the guard has a profession common of 24.7 factors, 5.6 rebounds, 7 assists, and 1.5 steals. He joins a Clipper franchise that is by no means received an NBA title, though the optimism is at an all-time excessive.
The Clippers are respectable contenders
After dropping within the Western Convention Semifinals 5 instances since 2006, Los Angeles now pose an actual risk within the west. With a wholesome Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, the Clippers are 2-1 on the season, and have wins over Portland and San Antonio. With a brand new discovered hope, the Clippers huge three have fairly the completed resume. Though an older group, they’ve 29 mixed All-Star appearances, one NBA Title (Leonard with the Raptors), and two MVP trophies.
Harden hasn’t performed a single recreation for the Philadelphia 76ers this season, and can earn simply over $35 million for the 2023-2024 season. The Clippers now have a number of newly acquired gamers who’s contracts will expire subsequent season. With the core of Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, this could open up alternatives for the Sixers to amass one other All-Star. In keeping with ESPN, these expiring contracts, between Marcus Morris, Nic Batum, Robert Covington, KJ Martin may add as much as $50-$60 million in cap house within the offseason.
It is a danger that might repay for Los Angeles
At 34 years outdated, Los Angeles will tackle an amazing danger with Harden as a part of their championship run. Though the Clippers have bother staying wholesome, Harden nonetheless stays of the of the perfect guards within the NBA. With out Harden, the Clippers are second within the league in offensive ranking (120.5),and lead the league in three-point proportion (41.4 %). High 5 defensively, Harden will be a part of Westbrook in a well-recognized backcourt duo. Along with his lethal step again three and well being stability, it is now or by no means for the Los Angles Clippers.
In keeping with ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, James Harden is “ecstatic” to hitch the Clippers. As well as, there’s a chance he might be in attendance for Tuesdays matchup towards the Magic. As soon as a former MVP, the ball is in Hardens court docket for one final dance.
In keeping with Draft Kings, the Clippers are actually the highest 5 favored groups to win the NBA Title with +1200 odds
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Sara Jane Gamelli is a full-time Sportswriter at Ballislife, and a Sports activities Content material Creator on Twitch and TikTok. She has a concentrate on the NBA, WNBA, NCAA Basketball, and the NFL. Sara Jane at present resides in Connecticut along with her Cat and Canine. SJ has her undergraduate diploma from the College of Connecticut in Economics, with a minor in enterprise administration.
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