Current:Home > MyIs James Harden still a franchise player? Clippers likely his last chance to prove it-InfoLens
Is James Harden still a franchise player? Clippers likely his last chance to prove it
View Date:2024-12-23 18:06:03
James Harden got what he wanted. Again.
Wanted out of Houston, got traded to Brooklyn. Wanted out of Brooklyn, was traded to Philadelphia. Wanted out of Philadelphia and sought a trade to the Los Angeles Clippers. Got what he wanted.
On Tuesday, the 76ers traded the unhappy and problematic guard to the Clippers.
He forced his way out in one of the ugliest ways possible: he called Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey a liar twice without once explaining what he believes Morey lied about. He created an untenable situation. An NBA investigation into Harden’s public statements resulted in a $100,000 fine for "indicating that he would not perform the services called for under his player contract unless traded to another team." The investigation did not find that Morey violated any salary cap rule.
Morey kept quiet about Harden’s accusations, and the Harden problem is no longer his. Morey can focus on the Sixers and adding more talent around MVP center Joel Embiid.
As for Harden, this is his last chance to prove he is a valuable player worth having on a potential contender. Not even Damian Lillard, who is much better at this point of their respective careers, was traded to his preferred destination.
Harden was lucky in that regard. The only team that wanted him was the team for which he wanted to play. There’s a reason more teams weren’t interested in the 34-year-old former MVP. They don’t know if he’s worth it in the final season of a two-year, $68.6 million contract.
The Clippers are desperate, so they assumed the risk. Kawhi Leonard will be 34 when his contract expires after the 2024-25 season. Paul George will be 35 when his deal expires after the 2024-25 season, and Leonard and George have player options on their deals, but it’s hard seeing them pass up the $48.7 million they are owed next season. Russell Westbrook turns 35 on Nov. 12, and his contact is also up after 2024-25 though he, too, has a player option for next season.
The window to win a title with his aging group is closing fast, and there isn’t much left of this era of Clippers basketball.
To acquire Harden, the Clippers abandoned depth and draft assets to improve their chances of winning a title.
This is Harden’s last chance – not only to prove he still is the player who can make a team better but a player who fits in with an established hierarchy. It’s also his last chance to prove he is worth another lucrative contract.
Though Harden led the NBA in assists at 10.7 per game last season, he didn't make the All-Star Game for the first time after 10 consecutive times and missed All-NBA for the third consecutive season. He was good enough during the regular season but too inconsistent in the playoffs. Two 40-point games against Boston in the Eastern Conference semifinals were offset by 7-for-27 shooting in the two losses to finish the series after the Sixers took a 3-2 series lead.
Smart basketball minds in the Clippers front office wanted this move and owner Steve Ballmer is willing to pay an additional $29 million in luxury taxes for Harden. They believe it's an answer to a title-less franchise, one that reached the West finals in 2021 but missed the playoffs in 2022 and lost in the first round last season.
Can Harden prove he’s still that player? He got what he wanted. Can the Clippers get what they want?
veryGood! (6549)
Related
- 'Cowboy Carter' collaborators to be first country artists to perform at Rolling Loud
- As civic knowledge declines, programs work to engage young people in democracy
- Fani Willis skips a Georgia state Senate hearing while challenging subpoena
- Report finds ‘no evidence’ Hawaii officials prepared for wildfire that killed 102 despite warnings
- Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson weighs in on report that he would 'pee in a bottle' on set
- Workers who assemble Boeing planes are on strike. Will that affect flights?
- Selling Sunset's Chelsea Lazkani Admits She Orchestrated Bre Tiesi's Allegation About Jeff Lazkani
- Why Britney Spears Will Likely Still Pay Child Support to Ex Kevin Federline After Jayden's 18th Birthday
- Old Navy's Early Black Friday Deals Start at $1.97 -- Get Holiday-Ready Sweaters, Skirts, Puffers & More
- Lil Wayne says Super Bowl 59 halftime show snub 'broke' him after Kendrick Lamar got gig
Ranking
- Sofia Richie Reveals 5-Month-Old Daughter Eloise Has a Real Phone
- Man drives pickup truck onto field at Colorado Buffaloes' football stadium
- This Weekend Only: 40% Off Large Jar Yankee Candles! Shop Pumpkin Spice, Pink Sands & More Scents for $18
- Going once, going twice: Google’s millisecond ad auctions are the focus of monopoly claim
- Veterans face challenges starting small businesses but there are plenty of resources to help
- Why Britney Spears Will Likely Still Pay Child Support to Ex Kevin Federline After Jayden's 18th Birthday
- Tiger Woods undergoes another back surgery, says it 'went smothly'
- Keep Up With All the Exciting Developments in Dream Kardashian’s World
Recommendation
-
Nicky Hilton Shares Her Christmas Plans With Paris, the Secret To Perfect Skin & More Holiday Gift Picks
-
Cooler weather in Southern California helps in wildfire battle
-
What exactly is soy lecithin? This food additive is more common than you might think.
-
Keep Up With All the Exciting Developments in Dream Kardashian’s World
-
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Something Corporate
-
Inside The Real Love Lives of the Only Murders in the Building Stars
-
Florida sued for using taxpayer money on website promoting GOP spin on abortion initiative
-
Things to know about about the deadly wildfire that destroyed the Maui town of Lahaina