Daryl Morey’s prolonged and distressing ordeal has finally come to an end. The Philadelphia 76ers executive has agreed to trade James Harden, a 10-time NBA All-Star and former MVP, to the LA Clippers. This breaking news was reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
According to Wojnarowski, the 76ers will receive Marcus Morris, Nic Batum, Robert Covington, Kenyon Martin Jr., and multiple draft picks in exchange for Harden. Philadelphia will also acquire a 2028 unprotected first-round pick, two second-round picks, a pick swap, and an additional first-round pick from a third team. ESPN reports that P.J. Tucker and Filip Petrušev will also be included in the deal and will join the LA Clippers. To complete the transaction, the 76ers will waive Danny Green to free up a roster spot.
Harden has yet to play this season and was even prevented from boarding the team’s plane for their opening road trip. The NBA launched an investigation into his absence, but Harden returned to the team’s bench for their home opener. He was scheduled to practice with the team and make his debut soon.
Now, Harden will be heading to the other side of the country to start his season with the Clippers, although the exact date of his debut is uncertain. The Clippers have won two of their first three games this season and are set to face the Orlando Magic on Tuesday.
According to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, Harden is “ecstatic” about joining the Clippers and may even be present at Crypto.com Arena for Tuesday’s game.
On the eve of free agency, Harden exercised his option for the 2023-24 season, worth $35.6 million, only to request a trade from the Sixers, with a preference for the Clippers. In response to reports that Philadelphia failed to find a suitable trade offer for Harden, and expects him to show up for training camp, Harden publicly criticized Daryl Morey, calling him a liar and stating that he would never be part of an organization that includes Morey. The NBA fined Harden $100,000 for his comments. The exact reason behind Harden’s accusation remains uncertain, whether it be a failed contract extension or an unresolved trade request.
According to Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer, Morey was not surprised by Harden’s remarks and remains committed to securing fair value for a player that he once dubbed as “the best offensive player of all time.” Reigning MVP Joel Embiid’s perspective on this trade and how it impacts the team’s dynamic will be of great interest.
Last season, Harden averaged 21 points, 10.7 assists, and 6.1 rebounds per game over 58 games. Despite his less-than-ideal shooting percentages and defensive performance, Harden’s playmaking skills remain exceptional. However, concerns regarding his health and commitment have arisen in recent years due to various injuries and instances of quitting on previous teams. Nevertheless, Harden’s talent and contributions to the game cannot be denied.
This trade marks another twist in the peculiar career of James Harden, who will now be joining his fourth team in just two years.
