The Los Angeles Clippers have acquired ten-time All-Star James Harden from the Philadelphia 76ers. The disgruntled player gives the team an insurance policy if Kawhi Leonard or Paul George were to suffer through another injury-riddled season. The 2018 MVP has averaged at least 21 points a game for 11 straight years but has yet to appear in a game this season.
The organization has not officially announced the trade, but it is reported that the Clippers will gain Harden’s services without giving up Terance Mann. Mann will play an important role for the team and was originally rumored to be one of the pieces being asked for by Philadelphia.
“I don’t know what you are talking about,” said Ty Lue when asked about Harden during his first media session since the rumored trade. On Tuesday night, Harden was at Crypto.com Arena for the Clippers game against the Orlando Magic all but confirming the trade.
Harden is one of the most dynamic scorers of his generation, but his commitment to building a winning culture has been the topic of conversations during his last couple of stints with the Brooklyn Nets and 76ers. It also remains to be seen if he can coexist with the other stars already on the roster. Russell Westbrook has been an excellent addition since joining the team midway through last season, and it would be a shame if the acquisition of Harden diminishes Westbrook’s impact on the team’s success.
“If they don’t win the championship, it doesn’t work. Yeah, they may win some games, and they may upset some teams, but players of this caliber, especially guys like Russell and James, they would like to have that championship under their belt,” said Hall of Fame center Shaquille O’Neal on the Inside the NBA pregame show. “On paper, it looks good, but I don’t know which Harden is gonna show up. I don’t know which Harden they want to show up. You want the scoring Harden, or do you want Harden to be a facilitator.”
Westbrook and Harden were drafted to the same team when they played for the Oklahoma Thunder alongside Kevin Durant. This will be the third team they will share the starting backcourt for, as they also teamed up briefly in Houston. The two should already have some built-in chemistry from their previous time as teammates.
Dear Summer.
— James Harden (@JHarden13) September 11, 2023
Harden Vol. 7 DENIM available on https://t.co/o1Ju3ATwUe and select locations.#HardenVol7 #adidasBasketball pic.twitter.com/7FKyG5rpEA
Las Vegas oddsmakers are bullish on the addition of Harden as the Clippers’ title odds have improved drastically. After the move, they now have the fifth-best odds to win the championship, according to VegasInsider. LA opened the season with the ninth-best chance to win the NBA Finals just over a week ago.
If Harden fits in and plays up to his potential, he will be an excellent addition to a roster that already had championship aspirations. The sky is the limit now that Los Angeles has created their version of a superteam, but they will rely heavily on four players past or near the back ends of their prime: Leonard (32), George (33), Westbrook (34), and Harden (34).
Top photo credit: Mark Hammond/News4usonline
Benjamin Verbrugge is a reporter for News4usonline who studied journalism at CSU Dominguez Hills. “Sports have brought me much joy throughout my life, and I want to give a little back to something that has meant so much to me.” Email Benjamin at benverbrugge8@gmail.com.