Clippers Emerging As ‘Most Prominent’ Team in James Harden Trade Talks, ESPN Insider Says

Harden opted into his player option for next season, with an eye toward being traded to a contender.

The James Harden era in Philadelphia appears to be nearing an end, as the former MVP has opted into his 2023–24 player option with the intention of being traded away from the 76ers. Reports of Harden and the team’s plan sent shockwaves throughout the basketball world, and it didn’t take long for league insiders to speculate where the former MVP could end up next.

While the situation is still in the early stages, one team has been routinely mentioned as a serious suitor for Harden’s services: the Clippers.

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Clippers are the “most prominent” team interested in acquiring the 34-year-old, though a pathway to a potential deal is far from assured. The Sixers have already begun engaging with multiple teams in trade talks.

Wojnarowski reports that the Clippers are in search of a point guard, but could still acquire Harden to fill that lead guard role. As far as what Los Angeles could send back to Philadelphia in return, the team is not interested in trading away its “good, young players,” and instead would look to include draft picks and expiring contracts in a potential deal.

The Clippers are the “most prominent” team in trade talks for James Harden, per @wojespn:

- Trade discussions have already begun between the Sixers and other teams.

- Clippers are not interested in trading any of their “good young players” for Harden.

- Philadelphia wants real… pic.twitter.com/hNkYG2QboK

— Evan Sidery (@esidery) June 29, 2023

Wojnarowski also mentioned the Knicks as a team interested in a Harden trade, though the Sixers might have reservations about trading him within their own division.

A Harden trade would mean the 10-time All-Star would be on his fourth team in two-and-a-half years. He averaged 21.0 points and a league-best 10.7 assists per game last season for the Sixers, with the team losing to the Celtics in the second round of the playoffs.