NBA Trade Rumors: LA Clippers interest in James Harden is ‘unclear’
NBA Trade Rumors: James Harden wants to be traded to the LA Clippers but the LA Clippers may not be super motivated to trade for James Harden.
It’s been more than two weeks since James Harden officially requested the Philadelphia 76ers to trade him, and preferably to the LA Clippers. However, since that news was reported, there hasn’t been much progress on the story.
While the Sixers are hoping to move Harden off his trade request, it doesn’t seem that Harden has any interest in doing so.
According to ESPN’s Zach Lowe, Harden clearly is trying to force his way to the Clippers. But, up at least until now, it seems to be somewhat of a one-sided effort. Per Lowe, the Clippers’ interest in Harden is “clear” and they haven’t been super enthusiastic to pursue Harden.
If that is indeed the case, there could be several possibilities at play here.
Are the LA Clippers not interested in acquiring James Harden?
Off the bat, I don’t really think this report is to shed light on the Clippers’ disinterest in Harden. I’d guess that this more has to do with their disinterest in negotiating with Daryl Morey and the Sixers at the moment.
It would be hard for any team to pass on Harden. Even at this point in his career, past his prime, he’s still a very good and effective player. If the Clippers were offered Harden at a discount, especially for just one season, it would be hard for them to say no. In fact, under those circumstances, it would be hard for any contender to say no.
But it’s an entirely different thing for them to go out and negotiate a deal, in which they’d be parting ways with tangible and valuable assets, for a player that is past his prime and on a one-year contract.
It’s hard to blame the Clippers to have this approach towards the possibility of a Harden trade. Especially considering we’re in the middle of July. There’s no rush. The Clippers know Harden wants to be in LA and there really isn’t a big market for him at the moment.
The Clippers should be sitting back and taking a wait-and-see approach toward Harden. I firmly believe that’s what this report is mostly about. It’s not that the Clippers aren’t interested in Harden, it’s that they don’t really have to be completely interested in him at the moment.