Blockbuster: 76ers to send James Harden to Los Angeles Clippers in exchange 4 players, multiple draft picks

The Philadelphia 76ers are finally moving on from James Harden.

According to reports, the 76ers have agreed to a massive 7-player deal that will send James Harden, PJ Tucker and Flip Petrusev to the Clippers in exchange for Marcus Morris, Nic Batum, Robert Covington, Kenyon Martin Jr, a 2028 unprotected first-round pick, two second-round picks, a 2029 pick swap and an additional first-round pick that’ll be routed from a third team 

To make room on the roster, the 76ers will also be waiving Danny Green. 

James Harden traded to Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for 4 players, multiple draft picks

BREAKING: The Philadelphia 76ers have agreed on a trade to send guard James Harden to the Los Angeles Clippers, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/wAyuJKMfAw

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 31, 2023

Harden had yet to play for the Sixers this season but was seen on the bench and participating in pre-game warmups on Sunday night for the Philadelphia 76ers’ home opener against the Portland Trail Blazers. 

Now, James Harden will join All-Star forwards Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and Russell Westbrook, who played with Harden in Oklahoma City and Houston, in Los Angeles. 

The talks with Clippers and 76ers reportedly began again over the weekend and after with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey leading the Sixers to a 2-1 record in the early goings of the 2023-24 season, it became pretty obvious that Harden and his style of play was not going to work in Philadelphia moving forward. 

For those of you who aren’t happy with the players we got in return for James Harden, I understand none are really exciting outside of 22-year old KJ Martin but look at the bigger picture. 

This was never about the players in return. The Sixers were never going to get a star player for James Harden because they had zero leverage in any trade situation. Harden wanted to go to Los Angeles and he was never going to play in a Philadelphia 76ers uniform so we took what we could get. 

On top of that, the Sixers landed a bunch of much needed draft capital and even more expiring contracts which will set themselves up even better for next season now that Harden and eventually, Tobias Harris’ contracts come off the books. 

Here is the 76ers cap ledger for 2024-25.

It is important to note that all their free agents except for Tyrese Maxey would need to be renounced to create room.

Philadelphia has until today to decide on the Jaden Springer $4M team option. pic.twitter.com/KkqagLPEvw

— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) October 31, 2023

Basically, the Sixers get KJ Martin and a stockpile of draft picks. The other players included were to match salary and eventually be off the books after this season which leaves the Sixers with a ton of cap space and flexibility next year.

Again, James Harden was not going to remain in Philadelphia regardless, while PJ Tucker, Flip Petrusev, and Danny Green are easily replaceable with the players the Sixers received in return.

That is a good trade.

The 76ers (2-1) next play Thursday against the Raptors, while the Clippers (2-1) host the Magic on Tuesday before facing the Lakers on Wednesday in the second night of a back-to-back.

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