The LA Clippers are still looking for ways to make a massive splash this offseason. James Harden wants to come to Los Angeles, and the rumors are not dying down. 76ers general manager Daryl Morey will wait for a significant package, but this situation usually ends with the star player being traded.
What would a deal look like between the two sides? The Clippers want to win and believe they are a title contender when healthy. They have explored trading Norman Powell and other pieces this offseason to upgrade their roster. LA needs a point guard, and Harden could be the perfect fit.
The two sides have talked about a trade, and they will continue to discuss the options. Philadelphia is determined to stay in contention, which means getting a significant return from the Clippers or whatever team lands Harden. Here is a look at five potential trades and why they could be the final package.
5 Blockbuster trades to get James Harden on the LA Clippers
5. Clippers preferred offer
The Clippers want to package multiple mid-sized contracts to trade for Harden. Ideally, they send out Marcus Morris Sr. and Robert Covington, which are two players LA has looked to deal this offseason. The Clippers will have to give up something of value, but they would prefer to keep that to one player and one draft pick.
LA’s first and preferred offer likely looked like this.
It was not an instant hang-up from Daryl Morey and the Sixers, but they want substantially more. Philadelphia gave up three role players and two first-round draft picks to acquire Harden just 16 months ago. They need to recoup that value and more if they want to quickly build a true title contender around reigning MVP Joel Embiid.
With the focus on staying near the top of the Eastern Conference, Morey likely counters by trying to swap stars with the LA Clippers.
4. 76ers preferred offer
Daryl Morey made a massive splash in 2012 when he traded for Oklahoma City’s sixth man James Harden. The Beard quickly became a superstar, and the duo has had an outstanding relationship ever since. Morey left Houston in 2020 and Harden quickly followed. He traded for the ten-time All-Star in 2022, but the relationship is strained after Morey refused to give The Beard a massive extension this summer.
The 76ers are not against trading Harden, but they have a more important concern. If they deal him for draft capital, Joel Embiid could request a trade and quickly send Philadelphia into a total rebuild. Morey cannot mess this up. He needs to get a significant haul for Harden, which is why the Sixers likely start with this offer.
George has a $48.7 million player option for next season and is extension eligible. The 76ers could extend him now and lock in an elite wing next to Joel Embiid if they can get the Clippers to bite on trading PG.
Morey will point to George’s health issues as the reason why the two should be of equal value. The 76ers have to throw in some money to make the math work, but the Clippers are unlikely to have interest in this. They want to contend as they enter a new arena in 2024-25. That likely means keeping Leonard and George and trying to build around their two stars.
The LA Clippers would likely counter with an offer that better suits their needs.
3. Clippers 2nd offer
The Clippers likely return with a bit more value in their offer. P.J. Tucker stays in Philadelphia, and LA swaps Marcus Morris Sr. for Terrance Mann. The guard is seven years younger and offers some added ball-handling and playmaking chops. Joel Embiid will make Philadelphia have an elite defense, but they will need a distributor to replace Harden.
The Clippers give up one of the league’s best sixth men, two capable rotation players, and one first-round draft pick to land Harden with Jaden Springer being throw-in strictly to make the math work.
The 76ers will push back here on the second year of Mann’s contract, the three years left for Powell, and the draft capital in return. Philadelphia has been clearing cap room for next summer this offseason. Would they trade for two players with multiple years left on their deal?
Daryl Morey is going to ask for additional draft capital. The Mavericks gave up two starters, one first-round draft pick, and two second-rounders to acquire Kyrie Irving at last season’s trade deadline. Morey will ask for two second-round picks, but it seems unlikely he accepts less draft capital than what the Nets received.
Philadelphia likely counters with an offer that looks like this.
2. 76ers 2nd offer
With Paul George off the table, Morey asks for the only two first-round draft picks that the Clippers can offer and tries to sneak Bones Hyland into the deal to give the 76ers a bench playmaker that has room to grow.
This is a far offer that allows both teams to accomplish goals, but it may not be the final package.
LA would be tempted by this offer, but they have zero reason to accept it right now. Morey wants the biggest return possible, so what is stopping the Clippers from waiting to see if the 76ers get a better deal?
If Harden is set on being in Los Angeles, the Sixers will have to give in at some point and send him to the Clippers. He is on an expiring contract, so Philadelphia has to trade him before the deadline if they want to get something in return.
The LA Clippers will likely counter with a slightly lesser package and leave the ball in the 76ers’ court. Does Philly accept or play the waiting game in hopes of getting more at some point during the season? Morey proved his patience during the Ben Simmons saga, but how will playing with an unhappy Harden impact Joel Embiid?
The Clippers have the leverage, and they should use it to try to get the Sixers to accept a lesser package.
1. Most likely
This deal ensures the 76ers get multiple pieces in return for Harden, but lands the ten-time All-Star in his preferred destination. Consider this a win-win deal or just both sides giving the other what they want.
Philadelphia would have three first-round draft picks plus seven seconds to go out and land a second star. That won’t be easy, but the Sixers could enter the season hoping Tyrese Maxey takes a step forward before deciding to go all-in on the first available star.
The Clippers get Harden for three role players and three draft picks. Only one first-rounder changes hands, but it gives LA a path to title contention in 2024. Their “Big 3” must stay healthy, which is a massive if with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George factored in. This is likely as good as it gets for both sides making it the likeliest package.
Can Daryl Morey mend the relationship with James Harden? Expect the 76ers’ lead decision-maker to try his best as it is the quickest path to contention for Philly. If things cannot be fixed, the Sixers have no choice, but to try to move on.
Will the LA Clippers make a massive splash before the start of training camp? Does James Harden get his wish and end up in Los Angeles? Stay tuned to see how it all shakes out.
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