An NBA source told Adam Zagoria of NJ Advance Media that he hopes the Los Angeles Clippers don’t acquire James Harden from the Philadelphia 76ers.
“I hope not,” the NBA source said. “The Clippers are dangerous enough without him.”
The Sixers have valued Terance Mann and multiple first-round picks in a potential trade with the Clippers for Harden, according to NBA insiders Shams Charania and Sam Amick of The Athletic.
Harden wants the Sixers to trade him to the Clippers, who are very interested in acquiring The Beard. However, Philadelphia’s asking price for Harden is steep and Los Angeles is hesitant to trade Mann, who averaged 8.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists last season in 81 games.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers Updates
“The Clippers offered the Sixers an unprotected first-round pick, a pick swap and salaries for Harden in July, league sources say, but Philadelphia has set a much higher threshold,” Charania and Amick wrote in their latest NBA trade column. “The Sixers have valued fifth-year forward Terance Mann and multiple first-round picks in a potential trade with the Clippers, sources added.”
Multiple sources with knowledge of Harden’s three practice sessions with the Sixers told Charania and Amick that Harden was engaged and a positive participant. By taking part in training camp, Harden is avoiding the sort of financial fate Ben Simmons experienced when he lost approximately $20 million during his standoff with the Sixers during the 2021-22 season.
League sources also revealed to Charania and Amick that Harden is taking part in training camp because he remains hopeful a trade to the Clippers is still in the works. Harden believes it would be wise to not be a distraction so the Sixers can send him to the Clippers.
A future Hall of Famer, Harden averaged 21.0 points, 6.1 rebounds and 10.7 assists last season. He led the NBA in assists per game for the second time in his legendary career.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers Updates
The Clippers, who have never won an NBA title, already have Kawhi Leonard, Russell Westbrook and Paul George. If they figured out a way to get Harden, they could be Western Conference favorites.
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