James Harden is the Los Angeles Clippers Last Chance At a Title: Full Trade Details & Analysis

Written by: Morgan Larkins Edited by: JD Delcastillo

The basketball world shook once again with another “Woj Bomb” at 2:01 a.m. EST from NBA Senior Insider Adrian Wojnarowski. James Harden is joining the Los Angeles Clippers to team up with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Here are the full trade details:

- Los Angeles Clippers receive: James Harden, PJ Tucker, and Filip Petrusev

- Philadelphia 76ers receive: Marcus Morris, Robert Covington, Nicolas Batum, KJ Martin, a 2026 first-round pick (via Oklahoma City Thunder), 2028 first-round pick, two second-round picks, and a pick swap

The 76ers received a decent return for the all-star guard, acquiring depth pieces that help their defense and rotation. The Clippers, on the other hand, get closer to winning the championship with this trade.

Let us head back in time to 2019. Leonard and George had just joined the Clippers and they were crowned as the favorites to win the finals. In the Bubble, the Clippers blew a 3-1 lead to the Denver Nuggets. George disappointed everyone in the playoffs and earned himself the name “Pandemic P” amongst NBA media and fans.

Next postseason, the Clippers are back in the Western Conference Semifinals tied with the Jazz 2-2. Leonard suffered an ACL injury late in the fourth game and would be out for the rest of the playoffs and the entire 2021-2022 season. George would lead the Clippers to their first ever Western Conference Finals where they would lose in six games to the Phoenix Suns. 

Since then, it has been injury after injury for the Clippers, and they would never get to the same level that they used to be. Leonard and George were fully healthy heading into this season, but there are doubts whether the Clippers would actually have their two stars come playoff time.

Thus, most media outlets and fans didn’t take the Clippers seriously as championship contenders. 

With Leonard and George heading into their last guaranteed year under contract, the possibility that the two stars would leave if the team couldn’t contend seemed inevitable. So, the Clippers traded for Harden. 

Photo Credits: TheDunkCentral - X

Trade Analysis

Harden brings elite playmaking and increased scoring to an already talented roster. Harden creates opportunities for the offense to get points while being able to score at an all-star level himself. The only concern with Harden is if he can stay consistent in the playoffs.

Harden is the Clippers last ditch effort to not only win a championship this year, but to stay in contention for the future. Leonard, George, and Harden all have the chance to leave after this season if the Clippers aren’t successful or if they get injured once again. 

If that scenario happens, there is no immediate future for the Clippers as they don’t have a first-round pick for another three years until 2027. The Clippers also don’t have a young player that can meet the standard of the Clippers current stars. 

With all of that being said, this is the best move the Clippers could have made at this current moment. The team brought in more talent to compete in a powerful Western Conference, filled with the Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers, and Phoenix Suns.

The window is closing for the Clippers but if they can stay healthy, they have the talent and experience to win the finals. This, however, is a mighty big if. 

Cover Photo Credits: Adrian Wojnarowski - ESPN/X

Morgan Larkins is a Staff Writer for the SDAC Newsletter. He primarily covers the Baltimore Ravens, the NFL, and the NBA. Reach out to him on Instagram @mj_larkins, or @morganlarkins4408gmail.com