The Los Angeles Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers remain engaged in talks surrounding a trade for James Harden a week ahead of the start of the regular season, according to NBA insider Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Harden requested a trade from the Sixers to the Clippers in June after opting into his 2023-24 player option. The 2017-18 MVP expected Philadelphia general manager Daryl Morey to trade him to Los Angeles, but Morey never did. Harden called Morey a liar during his Adidas tour in China and was fined $100,000 by the NBA.
Harden has not attended any of the Sixers’ three preseason games, has skipped a shootaround and has only participated in one five-on-five live competition in the two weeks since training camp began. In 58 games for the Sixers last season, Harden averaged 21.0 points, 6.1 rebounds and 10.7 assists. He led the NBA in assists per game for the second time in his career.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers Updates
The Clippers are pursuing additional draft assets from other teams in order to improve their offer to the Sixers for Harden. Los Angeles stars Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and Russell Westbrook want the Clippers to acquire Harden, league sources told NBA Analysis Network.
The Clippers offered the Sixers an unprotected first-round pick, a pick swap and salaries for Harden in July. Philadelphia has valued Terance Mann and multiple first-round picks. League sources told NBA Analysis Network that the Sixers and Clippers are not close to making a Harden trade.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers Updates
Harden has career NBA averages of 24.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 7.0 assists. The Clippers, who have zero championships in franchise history, believe they can win it all this season with Harden in the fold next to George, Leonard and Westbrook. It will be fascinating to see if Los Angeles is able to acquire The Beard.
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