The Los Angeles Clippers have been the most well liked crew within the Western Convention coming into the NBA commerce deadline. After a horrible 6-21 begin, the Clippers rallied to win 17 of their subsequent 22 video games to present them a legit shot at making the Western Convention playoffs. Simply when it appeared just like the Clippers have been headed in the suitable course, star level guard James Harden determined to throw their season off track.
There’s already a clubhouse chief to land Harden on the deadline, however no deal is finished but. With the commerce deadline looming on Thursday, Feb. 5, right here’s three potential pretend trades for Harden.
Cleveland Cavaliers’ James Harden commerce concept
Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Darius Garland is the largest rumor on the market proper now. This deal will get it executed. The Cavs reportedly desire a decide swap included, however LA is rightfully resisting. It’s exhausting to determine who needs to be getting draft compensation on this deal, and on this provide I threw Cleveland a future second-round decide for his or her bother. Garland is just 26 years previous, making him 10 years youthful than Harden, however he’s handled fixed damage points over the previous few years. His huge toe damage doomed Cleveland’s playoff run final season after a 64-win common season, and he hasn’t been in a position to get wholesome this 12 months. You by no means commerce younger for previous within the NBA, but when Garland can’t keep wholesome, does that guideline actually have to be adopted? This commerce would infringe on the Clippers’ 2027 cap house as Garland is locked up by 2028, however he’s adequate and younger sufficient when wholesome to make it price it for LA.
Houston Rockets’ James Harden commerce concept
That is my favourite pretend Harden commerce, one which returns him to Houston the place he spent one of the best years of his profession. The Rockets want a lead guard on the deadline, and there nonetheless aren’t many higher than Harden. Fred VanVleet is out for the season, and Dorian Finney-Smith has barely performed after signing in Houston this summer time as a free agent. The Clippers embrace a 2028 first-round decide — they will haggle in regards to the protections — which might be nice for such a pick-deprived group. Harden and Kevin Durant would put the Rockets into fast win-now mode, however that pairing seemed electrical final time we noticed it in Brooklyn. Add in Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason, and Reed Sheppard, and this crew appears legit for a playoff run this 12 months.
Atlanta Hawks’ James Harden commerce concept
This deal sending Harden to the Atlanta Hawks would basically be a wage dump for the Clippers, which is disappointing given how nicely they’ve been enjoying recently. Kristaps Porzingis has been superior when he’s wholesome for the Hawks, however he’s by no means wholesome, and he’s at present sidelined with an Achilles pressure along with the sickness he’s been battling for greater than a 12 months. This commerce would maintain the Clippers’ 2027 cap house clear, and provides Atlanta a brand new lead guard after they traded Trae Younger earlier within the 12 months.
What’s your favourite pretend James Harden commerce?
I attempted to get him to the Minnesota Timberwolves, however the salaries don’t work out. Would you even need Harden as a GM given his legendary playoff failures? Is anybody giving him an $80 million contract at his age? Depart your suggests within the feedback.
