James Harden has officially been traded to the Los Angeles Clippers. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Philadelphia 76ers have agreed to trade the 10-time NBA All-Star and one-time MVP to his desired team. Trade talks originally began back in June, but the team was unable to seal the deal. Harden’s disappointment led to his public comments about the Sixers’ front office, for which he was fined $100,000 USD for.
The trade sees the 76ers receive Marcus Morris, Nicolas Batum, Robert Covington and KJ Martin along with a 2028 unprotected first round pick, two second round picks and a pick swap. As for the Clippers, on top of receiving Harden, they also get PJ Tucker and Filip Petrusev.
Harden has yet to play for the 76ers this Fall. The NBA had opened an investigation on Harden when he did not show up to pre-season practice with the team. However, he did return to the bench for their game opener on Sunday. Harden had previously exercised his $35.6 million USD option for the 2023-24 season, only to request a trade from the Sixers, to preferably the Clippers. Chances were looking slim when the Sixers were unable to close the deal. It is uncertain how the deal to the Clippers has come about and what Harden will get out of it. The Clippers have not yet said when Harden will make his debut. He is slated to join former teammate Russell Westbrook, alongside Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.
In other sports news, Magic Johnson is now the fourth athlete to become a billionaire.
