The James Harden ordeal got here to an finish this week because the Philadelphia 76ers traded the previous MVP to the Los Angeles Clippers in a late-night blockbuster.
Whereas this commerce was met with blended reactions, it is plain that it considerably impacts each franchises.
The deal, orchestrated by the Philadelphia 76ers’ possession, not Basic Supervisor Daryl Morey, has raised questions concerning the group’s technique and Morey’s function within the course of.
Nonetheless, Morey’s public statements all through the commerce discussions didn’t align with the notion that he was pressured into this deal.
In reality, Morey set a particular bar for the commerce, stating they wanted to accumulate both an excellent participant or property to acquire one sooner or later. The Clippers’ supply finally met that value.
Did the Sixers get taken benefit of?
The Sixers obtained a considerable haul in return for Harden, PJ Tucker, and Filip Petrusev. It contains gamers corresponding to Nicolas Batum, Robert Covington, KJ Martin, and Marcus Morris, in addition to precious draft property, together with an unprotected 2028 first-round decide from the Clippers.
This assortment does not embody a “superb participant” as initially outlined by Morey, nevertheless it does supply the potential to rework these property right into a precious participant down the highway.
Harris, the Sixers’ proprietor, performed a task within the commerce proceedings, and his affect might need pressured Morey to make the deal earlier than anticipated. Nonetheless, the return met the brink that Morey had set earlier within the course of.
One argument made in opposition to Morey is that by permitting the state of affairs to pull on, he could have backed himself right into a nook.
Harden’s preseason absence and holdout undoubtedly influenced the state of affairs and sure urged Morey to discover a decision.
Moreover, the general public data that the Clippers have been Harden’s most popular vacation spot could have restricted the Sixers’ bargaining energy.
Will the Clippers contend for an NBA title in 2023?
From the Clippers’ perspective, they secured one of many league’s prime abilities in James Harden. With three scoring titles and a league-leading 10.7 assists per recreation final season, Harden is a future Corridor of Famer and a big addition to the Clippers’ already star-studded roster, which incorporates Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and Russell Westbrook.
The Clippers managed to retain important gamers like Terance Mann, Norman Powell, Ivica Zubac, and Bones Hyland, making them formidable contenders within the race for an NBA championship.
Because the mud settles on this headline-grabbing commerce, each groups should now harness the property and abilities they’ve acquired to realize their respective objectives within the upcoming season.
The Sixers, led by Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Tobias Harris, look to take care of their standing within the Jap Convention, whereas the Clippers intention to leverage their new famous person to turn into reliable championship contenders.
