NBA Trade Rumors: Predicting the deal that will send James Harden to LA Clippers

Predicting what the James Harden deal will look like

I think in order for this trade to go through before the start of training camp, there’s going to be some give and take for both sides. Here’s what it will come down to for the Clippers: If Terance Mann is involved, there will not be picks sent to the Sixers. That simply can’t happen from LA’s point of view. And not just that, not only will the Clippers not part ways with draft capital in this deal but the Sixers will have to send a couple of second-round picks to the Clippers.

That may be enough for the Sixers to agree to. In essence, what this deal is equating to is Harden for Terance Mann and salary filler, and then PJ Tucker for two second-round picks. It may not be great value for Harden and Tucker in a vacuum, but considering the circumstances it’s not a terrible return for Philadelphia in the long run.

The Clippers would emerge with a starting 5 of Harden, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, Tucker, and Ivica Zubac with Russell Westbrook, Norman Powell, Kenyon Martin Jr., Bones Hyland, and Mason Plumlee still on the bench.

The Sixers would lose Harden and trot out a starting 5 of Mann, Tyrese Maxey, Tobias Harris, Marcus Morris/Robert Covington/Nicolas Batum, and Joel Embiid. They’d also still have a solid bench with whichever two don’t start of Morris/Covington/Batum, Patrick Beverley, De’Anthony Melton, and Paul Reed.