Grade the trade: Clippers go all-in on troubling but talented James Harden
By Tyler Watts
The LA Clippers finally traded for James Harden after months of speculation. The ten-time All-Star requested out this summer and vowed to never play for Daryl Morey again. Harden got his wish. The 76ers held him out of their first three games as he got in shape to play before shipping him to his desired destination.
The Clippers’ odds to win the championship skyrocketed after acquiring Harden. The Beard was named one of the 75 best players in league history and is still an elite talent, despite all the trade requests and drama in recent years.
The deal gives both teams clarity early in the season as they attempt to compete for a championship. Here is a look at the details of the deal before breaking down how each team fared.
LA Clippers finally land James Harden in shocking late-night blockbuster
The two sides got the Thunder in on the deal to add to the draft capital. The Clippers sent a 2027 1st round pick swap to OKC to convince the Thunder to send a protected 2026 first to Philly to complete the trade, according to Adrian Wojnarowski.
It was a seven-player swap that saw seven draft picks change hands. The final details of the move look like this.
It is not often a ten-time All-Star is traded just over one week into the regular season. The Thunder gambled that the Clippers will be struggling by 2027 to add to the Sixers’ pick haul. Philadelphia is unlikely to be done here. Expect the Sixers to try to trade those draft picks for talent before the deadline.
Did the 76ers get enough for James Harden? Are the Clippers a serious title contender after this move? Here is a grade for each side.