Sports
James Harden Rumors: Momentum for Clippers-76ers Trade ‘Escalating’ Amid Knicks Buzz
Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Photography
The Los Angeles Clippers could well beat out the Novel York Knicks within the flee to manufacture outdated college Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden.
The Clippers for the time being devour “an edge” in alternate negotiations for the ten-time All-Megastar, in accordance to The Athletic’s Laws Murray.
Laws Murray 🥷🏾 @LawMurrayTheNU
I’m suggested that momentum for James Harden to LA is escalating. Whatever teams are … the Clippers appear to devour an edge for the time being.
SNY’s Ian Begley reported the Knicks’ curiosity is extra lukewarm than the Clippers’.
Ian Begley @IanBegley
Heard Knicks’ curiosity in James Harden, for the time being, is a ways from uniform at some stage within the organization. Clippers devour noteworthy curiosity in trading for Harden. Would declare LAC’s curiosity is stronger than NYK’s currently. ESPN 1st reported Knicks’ curiosity in trading for Harden
Harden picked up his $35.6 million participant option for 2023-24 within the hopes of exploring a alternate from the Sixers, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Thursday. He averaged 21.0 sides and 6.1 rebounds whereas leading the NBA with 10.7 assists per game final season and is decided to turn into an unrestricted free agent in 2024.
Harden neglected 24 video games one day of the 2023-24 frequent season ensuing from a upright foot tendon strain and an Achilles tendon injure in his left foot.
That marks the third time in three seasons that Harden has neglected fundamental time ensuing from injure, raising durability concerns for a participant who turns 34 in August. After a disappointing first-round exit this One year, nonetheless, the Clippers will most likely be ready to web a large gamble on a outdated college who can silent shoot.
If the Sixers are ready to determine a alternate for Harden, this can value his fourth team in as many seasons. After asking for a alternate from the Houston Rockets in 2021, Harden played with the Brooklyn Nets till he became dealt to Philadelphia at the subsequent 2022 alternate sever again-off date.
Harden became reportedly attracted to returning to the Houston Rockets, where he became named league MVP in 2017-18, but the Rockets are targeting Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet in free agency, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
The Clippers declined to guarantee outdated college guard Eric Gordon’s $21 million contract subsequent season, Wojnarowski reported Wednesday, in what could well potentially be a cap-clearing creep for Harden’s deal.
With Los Angeles star point guard Russell Westbrook about to hit free agency, the Clippers furthermore now not too lengthy within the past pursued Boston Celtics guard Malcolm Brogdon. The deal fell via after the team became unable to gaze a bodily, per The Boston Globe‘s Adam Himmelsbach.
Harden, who The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported left $15 million by signing his Sixers contract, is decided to turn accurate into a free agent in 2024.