How the James Harden Blockbuster Helps and Hurts the Kings
The Philadelphia 76ers got fed up with the drama and finally pulled the plug on the James Harden experiment, sending him to the Los Angeles Clippers in a middle-of-the-night blockbuster trade, first reported by Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. Harden gets his wish of leaving Philadelphia, but how will his situation work out in L.A.?
The Clippers now have a big three of Harden, F Paul George, and F Kawhi Leonard, with future Hall of Famer G Russell Westbrook as a floor general. The talent is, undoubtedly, there for Los Angeles, but it might not be enough to take over the Pacific Division and the Western Conference.
The reigning Pacific Division champs, the Sacramento Kings, might be worried that a healthy and ready-to-play Harden will take the Clippers to the next level, but that is a tall task.
The division currently runs through Sacramento, with the Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, and Phoenix Suns all banging on the door. Harden joining the Clippers might mix things up, but does the move help or hurt the Kings?
How the trade helps the Kings
The Clippers have possessed possibly the most talented duo in the NBA with George and Leonard since the 2019 off-season, but have nothing to show for it. The two star forwards have struggled to stay healthy, playing just 121 regular season games together despite this season being their 5th year as a Clipper duo.
The Clippers have had the same narrative for years: if they can stay healthy, they are a serious championship threat. Harden joining the All-Star duo in Los Angeles is a great move on paper, but can three ball-dominant stars co-exist?
This blockbuster trade might harm the Clippers more than it will help them. Harden is set to play for his fourth team since the 2020-21 season after he forced his way off the Houston Rockets and Brooklyn Nets before his short-lived 76ers stint. With his track record, Harden might be packing his bags for a new team this time next year.
While Harden is an elite talent, this trade might run the Clippers into the ground, giving the Kings one less team that can compete in the Western Conference.
How the trade hurts the Kings
While Harden has proven to be past his prime and a locker-room liability, he is a top-ten scorer in NBA history. If the Clippers can get the best version of Harden, they will be the new 2024 NBA Championship favorites.
The scenario of the Clippers getting a new-look Harden and a healthy Leonard and George is unlikely, but if that does happen, the Kings and the rest of the Western Conference are in trouble.
Last season with the 76ers, Harden averaged an impressive 21.0 points, 10.7 assists, and 6.1 rebounds per game with 44/38/86 shooting splits. If Harden can come into Los Angeles and average 20 points and 11 assists per game alongside Westbrook, George, and Leonard, they will be in good shape.
The Pacific Division is already the most balanced in the league, and a star-studded Clippers team might give them the edge over the Kings, Lakers, Warriors, and Suns.
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