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LA Clippers: Three trades that get us James Harden

By Ryan Snellings

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 22: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets dribbles past Paul George #13 of the Los Angeles Clippers during the first half of a game at Staples Center on November 22, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 22: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets dribbles past Paul George #13 of the Los Angeles Clippers during the first half of a game at Staples Center on November 22, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TEXAS – MARCH 05: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets reacts before the game against the LA Clippers at Toyota Center on March 05, 2020 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS – MARCH 05: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets reacts before the game against the LA Clippers at Toyota Center on March 05, 2020 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

LA Clippers get Harden but form a big three in Brooklyn

Okay, this one is a bit complicated but Houston has to be pretty interested, right?

The Rockets get several young pieces in Spencer Dinwiddie, Caris LeVert, Jarrett Allen, and Landry Shamet. They also get a first-rounder, albeit a likely late pick from the Nets.

Brooklyn, while giving up a lot, gets Paul George. A trio of Kyrie Irving, Paul George, and Kevin Durant is incredibly scary and obviously would make the Nets above and beyond the favorites to win the Eastern Conference and possibly even the NBA Finals. The Nets would have to make some moves to shore up their bench, including trying to re-sign Joe Harris but given that trio, I’m sure they could cobble something together that would work.

There’s no guarantee that Brooklyn is looking to get involved in a deal like this. After signing both Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant last summer, they still have not seen the final product on the floor together. Perhaps they stay out of any big deals until they can evaluate the talent they have around their two superstars.

Again, the Clippers have to give up Landry Shamet to Houston to help facilitate the move and to absorb Harden’s contract but it’s not all bad. Giving up two rotational pieces to take back one isn’t the end of the world and they would still be an extremely formidable offense with Harden on the roster.

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