Will Clippers Pivot From James Harden to Explore Jrue Holiday Trade?

The Clippers had interest in 76ers guard James Harden, but an NBA Insider speculates they'll explore a move for Jrue Holiday.
Will Clippers Pivot From James Harden to Explore Jrue Holiday Trade?
Will Clippers Pivot From James Harden to Explore Jrue Holiday Trade? /

The Philadelphia 76ers seem pleased to find out that the Milwaukee Bucks have moved on from Jrue Holiday. Shortly after the Portland Trail Blazers concluded the Damian Lillard saga by sending him East and landing Holiday in return, it was reported that the Blazers plan to re-route Holiday.

The Sixers were quickly linked to the veteran guard, who started his career in Philadelphia. However, if and when the Sixers reach out to the Blazers to inquire, they will be entering a crowded market for the two-time All-Star ball-handler.

In a perfect world, the Sixers find a way to replace the disgruntled James Harden with Holiday. That would require a third team to get involved since the Blazers’ timeline doesn’t align with Harden’s, hence the reason why they don’t want to hold onto Holiday in the first place.

The Los Angeles Clippers have expressed interest in Harden throughout the offseason, and they are the desired landing spot for the Sixers’ ten-time All-Star. The Sixers, Clippers, and Blazers could discuss a three-team deal, routing one guard to Los Angeles and the other to Philadelphia, but the Clippers could take a different route for themselves.

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Clippers are interested in Holiday as well. While the NBA Insider didn’t note whether or not the Clippers value one potential trade prospect more than the other, Holiday’s history and contract situation could leave the Clippers favoring the former Bucks guard more than Harden.

In terms of contracts, Holiday is set to make $34 million for the upcoming season, while Harden is owed $35.6 million. Next season, Holiday has a $37 million player option that will be available to him. Meanwhile, Harden will become a free agent and is ineligible to sign an extension beforehand.

With the future of Harden uncertain, the Clippers could also hesitate to make a move for him due to the fact that Harden’s two ventures following his long run in Houston ended on a bad note. Less than two years in Brooklyn, Harden forced his way out. Prior to his third season with the Sixers, Harden is in a standoff heading into training camp for the second time in his career.

The Clippers already hesitated to give the Sixers what they wanted for Harden, which led to both organizations agreeing to shut down trade discussions. While getting Holiday in return for Harden would definitely satisfy the Sixers heading into the 2023-2024 season, the Clippers might favor landing Holiday themselves at this point.

Soon, we’ll see where the Holiday situation is headed.


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Justin Grasso
JUSTIN GRASSO

Title: Credentialed writer/reporter covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s FanNation Email: JustinGrasso32@Gmail.com Location: Philadelphia, PA Expertise: Reporting, insight, and analysis on the Sixers and the NBA  Justin Grasso is a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s FanNation.  Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writer’s Association.  Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoNBA