Despite attending the Philadelphia 76ers’ first practice, James Harden’s desire to be traded to the Los Angeles Clippers remains unwavering.
NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski reported that while Harden participated in the practice session, his long-term goal remains a move to the Clippers.
Wojnarowski shed light on the ongoing trade saga, emphasizing that the Clippers have expressed a strong interest in acquiring Harden to join their star-studded lineup, featuring Paul George and Kawhi Leonard. However, negotiations have hit an impasse due to the Sixers’ high asking price.
As the regular season approaches and the trade deadline looms in February, both teams recognize the importance of having Harden in playoff-ready form.
“James Harden still wants to be traded and specifically to the Los Angeles Clippers,” Woj said. “The Clippers would like very much to acquire James Harden, put him with Paul George, Kawhi Leonard. But those talks have not gained any traction.
“The Sixers’ asking price is high and the Clippers at this point are not inclined to bid against themselves, offer more in a trade than they have already when they know they’re not bidding against anybody else, when they know they’ve made Philadelphia the best offer and especially because of where we are on the calendar still weeks away from the first game of the regular season and we’re still a long way away from the February trade deadline and the playoffs starting in April.”
While Harden’s presence can undoubtedly boost performance throughout the regular season, the primary focus for Philadelphia and the Clippers is maximizing his impact during the postseason.
“I think both the Sixers and the Clippers, their need for James Harden isn’t necessarily over 82 games, it’s to have him ready to go for the playoffs,” Wojnarowski continued.
“Certainly, he helps you get through the regular season, he helps you get a better seed, but this is not a trade that has to happen in the short term.”
The Sixers have maintained their position that any deal involving Harden must bring valuable assets in return, ensuring they remain competitive alongside Joel Embiid.
Losing Harden without acquiring assets to bolster their roster would be akin to conceding defeat, and the Sixers are determined to avoid that scenario.
“And Philadelphia all along they believed if we give up James Harden for the kind of asset that don’t allow us to see them go out and get someone to replace James Harden, we don’t have a chance to win with Joel Embiid and that’s like throwing in the towel with Embiid. So they want to see if they can keep pushing this along,” the insider continued.
The trade saga surrounding Harden is far from over, with both teams carefully assessing their options. While Philadelphia pushes for a favorable deal, the Clippers remain interested in securing Harden’s services. The ongoing negotiations will continue to be a focal point as the season progresses.
With Harden now part of the Sixers’ training camp, the hope is that his presence will foster a cooperative and engaged attitude, contributing positively to the team’s preparations.
“A cooperative, engaged James Harden? It may not be like that every day, but I think Philadelphia now getting him into camp was a big step getting him on the practice court, was a bigger step,” Wojnarowski concluded.
As the calendar inches closer to the regular season, the situation surrounding Harden’s trade request remains fluid. The Clippers’ interest persists, and the Sixers are steadfast in their pursuit of a deal that benefits their championship aspirations. The coming weeks and months will likely provide more clarity on Harden’s future destination.
