2023-10-31 08:34:00
He accompanied the team to the Blazers game on the 29th, but the gap was not filled.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that James Harden of the 76ers will be traded to the Clippers.
In addition to Harden, the Clippers also acquired P.J. Tucker and Filip Petrsev, according to him. The Sixers acquired Nicolas Batum, Robert Covington, Marcus Morris, KJ Martin and multiple draft picks, including a 2028 first-rounder (unprotected) and two second-rounders. The Sixers also reportedly traded veteran guard Danny Green to make room on the roster.
Harden, 34, joined the Sixers via trade midway through the 2021-22 season. Under the direction of team president Daryl Morey, who built a team that made him the absolute ace during his time with the Rockets, expectations were high that he would make a big impact as a powerful duo with mainstay Joel Embiid. However, in reality, he did not fit well with the team and was unable to perform as well as he had hoped due to his poor condition.
As his position on the team has become increasingly uncertain, Harden has openly criticized his former ally Morey, calling him a liar due to contract disputes. This caused a rift between the two players, and Harden requested a trade to the Clippers and remained unable to join the team. The trade was not finalized by the start of the season, and Harden attended the home opener against the Trail Blazers on the 29th, watching the game from the side of the bench, but the gap between the two sides was never bridged.
This trade will likely create an environment where the Sixers can eliminate unnecessary noise and focus on what’s happening on the court. However, all they got in return for Harden are experienced role players, and there is no one who could be a core member of the team next to Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. If the wins don’t increase as expected, there is a high risk that Embiid will want to leave a team with no bright future in sight, a situation that he would most avoid.
On the other hand, the Clippers will have a big four with Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and Russell Westbrook due to the addition of Harden, but it will be a challenge to coexist with these four players without stress and making use of their strengths. . Additionally, Leonard, George, and Harden have issues with their condition, and it is questionable how many games these four will be able to play together. Even if you participate in the playoffs without being able to build a coalition, you will not be able to advance.
Even after this trade, both teams are likely to continue to attract attention both on and off the court, for better or for worse.
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