NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski believes James Harden is “playing for his future in the league” with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Harden requested a trade from the Houston Rockets in 2020-21 and was sent to the Brooklyn Nets. The Beard requested a trade from the Nets in 2021-22 and was dealt to the Sixers. Harden then requested a trade from the Sixers this past offseason and was traded to the Clippers on Halloween.
Harden becomes an unrestricted free agent next offseason. The lefty started 58 games for the Sixers last season. He averaged 21.0 points, 6.1 rebounds and 10.7 assists and 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 now have Harden, Russell Westbrook, Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, four of the best players in the NBA. Los Angeles head coach Tyronn Lue is expected to start Harden, Westbrook, George, Leonard and Ivica Zubac.
Just like the Clippers organization, Harden has never won a ring. He has career averages of 24.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 7.0 assists with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Rockets, Nets and Sixers. Harden has made 10 All-Star teams and seven All-NBA teams and has won three scoring titles, two assists titles and one MVP Award.
It’s unknown when Harden will make his Clippers debut. What we do know is that Harden is delighted to be away from Sixers president Daryl Morey. Harden called Morey a “liar” in August during his Adidas tour in China after a Clippers trade didn’t happen following his decision to pick up his 2023-24 player option.
Harden said on October 13 that there was no chance of that relationship being repaired and he repeatedly referred to Morey as “the front office” without saying his name.
“No,” Harden said when asked directly whether he thought things could get patched up with Morey. “This is not even about this situation — this is in life. When you lose trust in someone, it’s like a marriage … you lose trust in someone, you know what I mean? It’s pretty simple.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers Updates
Leonard, George and Westbrook wanted the Clippers to acquire Harden, league sources told NBA Analysis Network. Harden spoke with Leonard, George and Westbrook to make sure they were okay with him joining the team.
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