In the wake of James Harden requesting a trade from the Philadelphia 76ers and reports saying the former MVP wants to get traded to the Los Angeles Clippers, one NBA writer has proposed a trade between the Sixers and Clippers.
Dan Favale of Bleacher Report is proposing that the Clippers trade Brandon Boston Jr., Robert Covington, K.J. Martin, Marcus Morris Sr., a 2028 first-round pick (unprotected) and a 2030 first-round pick (top-10 protection) to the Sixers for Harden.
“Perhaps Philly gets in L.A.’s good graces by letting Terance Mann stay and favoring purely expiring money,” Favale wrote. “Covington, Morris and Martin will play if the Sixers hold serve. But this trade is more about reloading for another blockbuster or, as Bryan Toporek outlined for Liberty Ballers, setting up the Sixers for something like $65-plus million in cap space next summer.
“The Clippers could bristle at surrendering two firsts and a nifty small-ball weapon in Martin. But let’s not forget Harden spent last season on the fringes of the All-NBA discussion. Even going on 34, the dude can hoop. And L.A. is built to both insulate him on defense and preserve him on offense. Bagging him without giving up Mann, Nicolas Batum or Norman Powell is an absolute win.”
Harden opted into his 2023-24 player option with the Sixers. The 10-time All-Star is extremely upset at the way in which Philly handled his possible free agency and has made his dissatisfaction clear to the franchise.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Los Angeles Clippers & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
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 lefty led the NBA in assists per game for the second time in his career.
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, 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, Los Angeles Clippers & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
There is strong optimism on Harden’s side that he will be traded to the Clippers. Both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are said to be on board with the idea of Harden potentially joining them in Los Angeles.
Want the latest NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here. Follow NBA Analysis Network on Twitter and Facebook.
