James Harden said the Philadelphia 76ers had him on a “leash” in his first comments with the Los Angeles Clippers. The 10-time All-Star requested a trade from the Sixers in June and was traded to the Clippers on Halloween.
“Philly is just changing my role knowing I can give more, knowing I can do more, but if you want me to be honest, it’s like being on a leash,” Harden said. “Like me knowing, in order for us to get where we want to get to, I was gonna have to be playing my best offensively, whether it’s facilitating and scoring the basketball, and Joel as well. I never really had that opportunity as well.”
Harden 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.
In 79 games with the Sixers, Harden averaged 21.0 points and 10.6 assists. The Beard requested a trade due to how president Daryl Morey handled his potential free agency this past offseason.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: James Harden, Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Clippers Updates
Harden has career averages of 24.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 7.0 assists with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Brooklyn Nets and Sixers. He has made 10 All-Star teams and seven All-NBA teams and has won three scoring titles, two assists titles and one MVP Award.
“James is one of the most prolific and efficient playmakers in the NBA,” Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank said. “With his size and vision, he possesses an extraordinary ability to create for himself and others. The Los Angeles area has produced so many elite players in recent years. With Kawhi, Paul, Russ and James, we’re excited to bring four of them together, and eager to see what they can accomplish with the rest of our group.”
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: James Harden, Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Clippers Updates
The Clippers are expected to start Harden, Russell Westbrook, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard and Ivica Zubac once Harden is ready to play. Harden will make his LAC debut against the New York Knicks on November 6.
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