Just over a year ago, James Harden opted into his 76ers contract and asked for a trade. This move set the stage for a super team in Philadelphia.
On June 29, 2023, Harden shocked everyone by not becoming an unrestricted free agent. Instead, he picked up his player option and requested to be traded to the Clippers. The deal didn’t happen until four months later because the Sixers waited for a big return.
BREAKING: The Philadelphia 76ers are trading James Harden and PJ Tucker to the Los Angeles Clippers for Nicolas Batum, Marcus Morris, Robert Covington and KJ Martin, and draft picks, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. pic.twitter.com/4gwGJgrYUb — Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 31, 2023
Trade Details:
The trade had three key parts for the 76ers. First, they got rid of P.J. Tucker’s contract, saving $11.5M next year. Second, they received players with expiring contracts worth over $41M combined . Nic Batum was especially valuable as he had been crucial in playoff games against the Knicks.
By trading Harden and with Tobias Harris’ huge deal also ending soon, Philly went way under the salary cap. The third benefit was getting two future first-round picks from the Clippers plus a pick swap.
Draft compensation that the Clippers are sending Philadelphia in James Harden trade: – 2026 LAC first-round pick via OKC – 2028 LAC first-round pick – Two second round picks – One pick swap https://t.co/ApsFqTjZ9e — Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 31, 2023
Fans might think this trade is fantastic news!
Not only did Philly get valuable assets from trading a veteran like Harden at age 34 but also saw his time with the Clippers start off poorly with a first-round playoff loss . This made Clippers’ owners hesitant to spend big on their non-contending team even though they gave Harden a two-year $70M deal.
This turn of events meant Paul George became too expensive for them to keep around; he then signed with…the Sixers! Now Philadelphia has another star alongside Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey while weakening their future rival—the Clippers—who will give them better draft picks if they continue struggling.
Trading for James Harden in 2022 didn’t bring success right away for Philly but getting rid of him might just have done it.
What do you think about this whole situation?
