James Harden still prefers to get traded by the Philadelphia 76ers to the Los Angeles Clippers, according to NBA insider Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Harden opted into his 2023-24 player option and is looking to get moved by the Sixers. The 10-time All-Star is extremely upset at the way in which Philadelphia handled his possible free agency and has made his dissatisfaction clear to the franchise.
Both Clippers stars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George want to play with Harden next season.
“For Harden, that preference, I’m told, remains to return to his hometown of Los Angeles where he could team up with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George with the Clippers,” Charania wrote.
Harden was born and raised in Los Angeles. He has a rapport with Leonard and George and could help LAC compete for a championship next season if he’s in shape and engaged.
The 33-year-old Harden averaged 21.0 points, 6.1 rebounds and 10.7 assists last season while shooting 44.1% from the field, 38.5% from beyond the arc and 86.7% from the free-throw line. The former MVP led the NBA in assists per game for the second time in his career.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Philadelphia 76ers & Los Angeles Clippers Updates
The Sixers lost to the Boston Celtics in the 2023 Eastern Conference Semifinals in seven games and Harden didn’t play well in Game 6 or Game 7. Doc Rivers was fired as head coach after the season and replaced by Nick Nurse, who won the 2019 championship with the Toronto Raptors.
Nurse and Harden met in Houston a few weeks ago and the meeting went well. However, it appears money has gotten in the way between Harden and the Sixers. Harden wants a max contract and Philadelphia doesn’t want to give “The Beard” one.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Philadelphia 76ers & Los Angeles Clippers Updates
Harden has career averages of 24.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 7.0 assists with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Brooklyn Nets and Sixers. He is still looking to win his first championship.
It will be fascinating to see where Harden is playing next season. The Clippers, who have zero rings in franchise history, have already talked to the Sixers about a Harden trade.
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