According to a prominent NBA insider, league executives are firmly confident that disgruntled Philadelphia 76ers’ All-Star James Harden will be headed to a Western Conference powerhouse.
Harden is among the notable NBA stars dominating the current trade rumor mill, along with other big names like Portland Trail Blazers’ All-Star guard Damian Lillard and Toronto Raptors’ fan favorite Pascal Siakam.
On the latest edition of the #thisleague UNCUT podcast co-hosted by NBA insiders Chris Haynes and Marc Stein (h/t Matt John of Heavy.com), the latter reported that league executives strongly believe Harden will be sent to the Los Angeles Clippers:
“Pretty much anyone you speak to around the league says Harden is gonna end up a Clipper,” Stein said.
Adding to Stein’s report, Haynes opines that veteran defensive stalwart P.J. Tucker will also be sent to Los Angeles:
“I think that somehow, someway, P.J. Tucker will make his way over there as well. I don’t know if it will be part of a James Harden trade or separate, but I keep hearing people saying somehow they feel like P.J. is.”
Last week, Harden opted into his $35.6 million player option for the 2023-24 season as a way to help the 76ers orchestrate a trade.
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The 76ers acquired Harden in a blockbuster trade with Brooklyn last year, with fellow All-Star guard Ben Simmons being sent to the Nets as part of the return. Harden and Joel Embiid formed a dynamic scoring duo in Philly, but the 76ers endured disappointing second-round exits in back-to-back years with these two stars.
The Clippers already have two all-world franchise stars in Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, but they’ve only won three total playoff series since landing both future Hall of Famers in 2019. Adding Harden would go a long way in maximizing the Clippers’ championship hopes with their window closing quickly.
