Amid their mutual interest, the Los Angeles Clippers are reportedly hesitant to go all in just to acquire James Harden.
Alongside other interested teams, the Clippers are reluctant to hand several draft assets and a star player for Harden, who was described by Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer as a player who “has lost his step and is on an expiring contract.”
Harden notably opted into his $35.6MM player option for 2023-24 season, but this move was motivated from his sudden desire to get traded.
Philadelphia 76ers top executive Daryl Morey made a recent appearance on 97.5 Fanatic and made it known that they are trying to facilitate the All-Star’s request, but he reiterated that the price to pay has to be justifiable for the franchise.
It was just reported that the 76ers placed a high asking return for the league MVP, which makes Harden’s intent to be shipped even more complicated.
With Philly being desperate to finally get over the hump after reigning MVP Joel Embiid made headlines earlier this week, the Harden saga may take months to prolong similar to what happened on the Ben Simmons chapter. Morey notably took the hard and grinding road just to obtain the best offer he can gain for the embattled Australian star — which turned out to be Harden.
For now, the wait is still on with how situations would turn out at the side of Harden and the Sixers.
