2023-10-31 09:48:01
James Harden finally joins the Los Angeles Clippers! This deal is a last-ditch deal for the Clippers. Using Harden raises the ceiling of combat power, but also reduces the foundation. In a 100% ideal scenario, the Clippers have the capital to challenge for the championship with the power of their stars, but the probability of tragedy will also increase due to factors such as Harden’s next contract, age, suitability of style of play, etc.
James Harden is finally here! After a summer of soap opera, the Clippers reached an agreement with the 76ers today (10/31) afternoon to send Nicolas Batum, Marcus Morris Jr., Robert Covington, Kenyon Martin Jr., as well as a 2028 first-round pick and two second-round picks. , as well as future draft pick swap rights, acquiring James Harden, P.J. Tucker and possibly Filip Petrusev from the 76ers who will be released in the future.
Let’s make a conclusion first: I think this deal for the Clippers is a last-ditch deal. Using Harden raises the ceiling of combat power, but also reduces the foundation. In a 100% ideal scenario, the Clippers have the capital to challenge for the championship with the power of their stars. They are even more luxurious than the Phoenix Suns. They can be said to be the strongest “star ball” lineup in the league. At the same time, the Clippers may also Factors such as Harden’s next contract, age, suitability for his style of play, etc., increase the chance of tragedy.
This deal is like a “draft strategy.” Are the Clippers looking for the best player (Harden) or the most suitable player? As mentioned in the previous season opening analysis, what I want to see is that the Clippers use draft picks and young assets in exchange for modern penalty area players or large wings, possibly Myles Turner of the Pacers, to add more personnel to the penalty area defense. , or take over the Blazers’ Jerami Grant to rebuild the forward sea advantage. Even if they cannot obtain star players, they have to find a replacement with a starting level and a suitable style of play. With the chips held by the Clippers, there is a chance to compress the lineup. Depth and sacrificing young players will at least complete the roster and put the Clippers back into championship contention.
In the end, the speedboat chose Best Player Available. They kept Terancen Mann and only sent out a first-round pick. The key is not how much potential Mann has, but how low the cost of trading Harden is. The same package is placed in the middle of the season, even if Mann and all the remaining draft picks are added. The Clippers may not be able to acquire a player of the same level as Harden, not to mention that this deal also includes Tucker. On paper, the Clippers do not suffer a loss and retain the possibility of a second wave of trades in mid-season.
In terms of style of play, I would say James Harden is necessary. Regardless of defensive ability, at least Harden is a top singles player, shooter, and playmaker. He is the most suitable main force for Paul George and Kawhi Leonard after the Clippers enter the 213 era. As a ball handler (point guard), compared to Russell Westbrook who will still be targeted for his outside ability, Harden is a simple and crude answer on the offensive end. And George and Leonard finally have a ball handler with independent ability, top passing skills, who can allow them to attack in the most comfortable position and open up space for the two of them. As for Westbrook, he will still be the captain of the Clippers. He will still have a chance to compete for the Sixth Man of the Year award when he is on the bench. If he remains a starter, Westbrook, who has been releasing the ball since last year and switching to off-ball offense, can still penetrate the game. Helps with breakthroughs and quick pass interpretations.
The addition of Harden will not deduct points on the offensive end. Together with the other three stars, he can generally maintain a combined effect of 1+1+1+1=4. Of course, the running-in time is very limited. It will be difficult to reach 4.5 or even 4.2. But as mentioned before, Harden is still a first-line player after all. Even if it is only 4.1 and 4.2, the combination of the four giants can give a very broad imagination.
As for Harden’s off-court turmoil? Both Westbrook and Tucker are high-quality lounge veterans. The combination of people and lounge atmosphere will not be a big problem for the Clippers in the short term. Salary pressure and time will be the heaviest pressures. The Clippers’ primary goal this summer is to secure the new contracts of Leonard and George. Whether it is to renew or disband, they have to make a decision first before they can deal with the contracts of other players.
However, the Clippers, who have already paid a lot, cannot directly let Harden flow into the free market and lose all his money. Contract renewal negotiations are imperative. At the same time, Westbrook also needs to renew his contract. In view of the second Apron of the new version of CBA The penalties will all take effect next year. If the Clippers pay for them all, they will face great restrictions on reinforcements and operations, and may even sacrifice draft picks in the future reconstruction period. According to the Clippers’ management’s past operations, it is rare for them to be willing to take such risks and changes. Of course, the opportunity to put together this set of four giants has been rare in decades, so naturally it is necessary to fight first.
Tucker will be another big variable in this deal! Looking at the three forwards the Clippers lost, if you interpret the rotation situation last season, you will find that Batum is already considered to be about to retire, while Morris (aka Mr. Lu’s secret weapon) fell out of the rotation at the end of the season. As for Covington, he has not been in head coach Ty Lue’s rotation all year. Even though he performed well in the first three games of this season, Tucker is still a starting-level defensive player with the 76ers and can truly Mainly playing “small ball center”, like the 2021 version of Batum, increases the Clippers’ capital to change their formation in the playoffs.
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