James Harden, who has requested a trade from the Philadelphia 76ers, is looking for a team where he’s loved and appreciated from a basketball fit, according to NBA insider Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. Harden wants to get traded to the Los Angeles Clippers so he can play with fellow NBA All-Stars Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and Russell Westbrook.
“Wrapping up on Harden, the other question is, why the Clippers? You saw Kawhi Leonard play last year when he wasn’t hurt. It’s the same kind of risk factor there with Joel Embiid. Both are star players with injury-prone careers at times. Winning a championship isn’t easy, but it’s something Harden wants to do,” Scotto said on his NBA podcast. “He’s been looking for a place where he’s loved and appreciated from a basketball fit.
“For him, it’s an amazing market and an opportunity for James to play where he grew up. Harden, Kawhi, and Paul George are all a little later in their careers, so the urgency is there, and cohesiveness should be there with a great owner that’s willing to spend, Steve Ballmer, and management. I think you also have to look at the coaching factor, which could be appealing there. There were reports about him and Doc Rivers not getting along. There’s every reason for him to want to go there.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Philadelphia 76ers & Los Angeles Clippers Updates
The Sixers and Clippers have talked about a Harden trade but no deal is close. The Clippers are interested in trading for Harden, but they may not have what it takes to acquire the lefty, especially if they don’t plan to include Terance Mann.
Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey’s asking price for Harden is exorbitant. Morey is believed to be asking for a lot for Harden because he feels comfortable with the idea of Harden returning to the team next season.
Even though Harden doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract, the 2017-18 NBA MVP “still intends” to play for the Clippers next season, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports. Harden requested trades from the Houston Rockets and Brooklyn Nets and got his wish both times.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Philadelphia 76ers & Los Angeles Clippers Updates
A future Hall of Famer, 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. He was born and raised in Los Angeles.
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