Clippers Interest In James Harden Is Unclear

[RealGM Wiretap]

On the most recent episode of The Lowe Post podcast, ESPN's Zach Lowe touched on the James Harden trade situation. Lowe said things with Harden's trade request are at "a total stalemate".

"There’s only really one team that he wants to go to, and that team is the Clippers," Lowe said. "Their level of engagement here to me is unclear/not super enthusiastic."

Lowe also said the chances of Harden returning to the Philadelphia 76ers seems unlikely as of now.

"I don’t know what to make of the possibility that Harden would ever go back to Philly. I continue to hear from people who would know that the bridge is burned," Lowe said. "But that’s what people who would know would say on July 17, with two months or whatever before training camp."

Via Zach Lowe/ESPN

[ChaiSudle]

You gotta love the headlines here sometimes..."Nothing is happening and it's unclear if anything is happening"

[engelmartin]

You gotta love the headlines here sometimes..."Nothing is happening and it's unclear if anything is happening"

"Basketball news theoretically possible"

[fredweis]

The Clips already decided on running it back with Russ.

Looks like the Sixers will likely have to buyout Harden if he won’t suit up for them. No reason for any other team to give up assets when they can just wait out the standoff.

If the Heat can’t land Lillard they could pivot to Harden. They have the culture to absorb him. I don’t see any other viable landing spots for Harden. Every team has already made their decision on their backcourt.

Dude may have complained his way out the NBA.

[dubbmotta]

The Clips already decided on running it back with Russ.

Looks like the Sixers will likely have to buyout Harden if he won’t suit up for them. No reason for any other team to give up assets when they can just wait out the standoff.

If the Heat can’t land Lillard they could pivot to Harden. They have the culture to absorb him. I don’t see any other viable landing spots for Harden. Every team has already made their decision on their backcourt.

Dude may have complained his way out the NBA.

Heat doesn't want him and who would they give up for him, Herro? No way I trade Herro for a one year rental who doesn't show up in the playoffs.

[M2J]

The Clips already decided on running it back with Russ.

Looks like the Sixers will likely have to buyout Harden if he won’t suit up for them. No reason for any other team to give up assets when they can just wait out the standoff.

If the Heat can’t land Lillard they could pivot to Harden. They have the culture to absorb him. I don’t see any other viable landing spots for Harden. Every team has already made their decision on their backcourt.

Dude may have complained his way out the NBA.

Harden has very little leverage here. Sixers would prefer to hand the reigns to Maxey anyways which is in part why Harden opted in. He wasn't sure they'd give him a new deal. They're set up with cap space next year to potentially use assets to take in a star or add quality depth to Joel and Maxey.

They could sit Harden and effectively end his career as a highly paid player. Someone would take a flyer out on him if he's picked up next year, but not spend a lot. Morey could continue to short term max him if James learns to be a team player and play off the ball more and still produce. James best way to get what he wants is to stop crying, come in and ball and show a team he can put them over the top.

[alienpick]

The Clips already decided on running it back with Russ.

Looks like the Sixers will likely have to buyout Harden if he won’t suit up for them. No reason for any other team to give up assets when they can just wait out the standoff.

If the Heat can’t land Lillard they could pivot to Harden. They have the culture to absorb him. I don’t see any other viable landing spots for Harden. Every team has already made their decision on their backcourt.

Dude may have complained his way out the NBA.

The Sixers don't need to buy him out, he's on an expiring contract. Just send him home, and trade him at the trade deadline if something comes up. Otherwise, he's off the books in the summer. Unless Harden is giving a good discount on the buyout, there's no reason to buy him out.

[Roy T]

What happened to the "mutual interest" headlines?

[Jay Mail]

Poor Harden. Playing with the most dominant player/MVP in the NBA and a great shot at his 1st title and he wants out. If he went to Miami and doesn't learn how to play defense, the Heat would be out 1st round. Superstars win championships and Harden and Lillard are not there anymore so they are finding they can't pick one team to play for...that only works for the elite...not the aging defense lacking ego's

[[EverGreen]]

The Clips already decided on running it back with Russ.

Looks like the Sixers will likely have to buyout Harden if he won’t suit up for them. No reason for any other team to give up assets when they can just wait out the standoff.

If the Heat can’t land Lillard they could pivot to Harden. They have the culture to absorb him. I don’t see any other viable landing spots for Harden. Every team has already made their decision on their backcourt.

Dude may have complained his way out the NBA.

The Sixers don't need to buy him out, he's on an expiring contract. Just send him home, and trade him at the trade deadline if something comes up. Otherwise, he's off the books in the summer. Unless Harden is giving a good discount on the buyout, there's no reason to buy him out.

This.

Also Philly has the blue print on how to handle these situations from the Simmons/Harden trade. They'll just let hinm sit at home until a deal materialises. Come the trade deadline, a team that is under performing compared to expectations will need to shake things up and a guy that led the league in assists this past seaosn will look tempting.

[TimeisIllmatic]

Not sure who else besides the Clippers have a need for Harden. I think this will definitely go into the season where James will have to sit out and get fined for not suiting up.

[Pickled Prunes]

Not sure who else besides the Clippers have a need for Harden. I think this will definitely go into the season where James will have to sit out and get fined for not suiting up.

Well, lots of teams could use 21/6/11 with efficient scoring numbers. It's not knowing what kind of extension he would expect that shuts the market down. That and the fact that anyone in the Harden market would rather have Dame, and he's still out there.

[haste10176]

Not sure who else besides the Clippers have a need for Harden. I think this will definitely go into the season where James will have to sit out and get fined for not suiting up.

Well, lots of teams could use 21/6/11 with efficient scoring numbers. It's not knowing what kind of extension he would expect that shuts the market down. That and the fact that anyone in the Harden market would rather have Dame, and he's still out there.

Its what philly expect back for harden as well.. How much will you give for a guy who fades in the biggest games.. Mid season opens up other possibilities though would the lakers give up dlo and reeves plus a first.. Would Philly take that..

[NoStatsGuy]

player empowerment all fine and well but its getting a bit ridiculous.

we dont even give lists anymore? And apparently the players' targeted teams dont even want them lmao.

harden is a joke these days... i loved his game when he was at his peek. besides the flopping his games was a one of. ship this guy to washington

[circa70]

Not sure who else besides the Clippers have a need for Harden. I think this will definitely go into the season where James will have to sit out and get fined for not suiting up.

Well, lots of teams could use 21/6/11 with efficient scoring numbers. It's not knowing what kind of extension he would expect that shuts the market down. That and the fact that anyone in the Harden market would rather have Dame, and he's still out there.

Its what philly expect back for harden as well.. How much will you give for a guy who fades in the biggest games.. Mid season opens up other possibilities though would the lakers give up dlo and reeves plus a first.. Would Philly take that..

Lakers wouldn’t take harden for Reaves str8 up & you’re recommending they give up dlo + FRP? That’s why causals should never be GMs

[Pickled Prunes]

Well, lots of teams could use 21/6/11 with efficient scoring numbers. It's not knowing what kind of extension he would expect that shuts the market down. That and the fact that anyone in the Harden market would rather have Dame, and he's still out there.

Its what philly expect back for harden as well.. How much will you give for a guy who fades in the biggest games.. Mid season opens up other possibilities though would the lakers give up dlo and reeves plus a first.. Would Philly take that..

Lakers wouldn’t take harden for Reaves str8 up & you’re recommending they give up dlo + FRP? That’s why causals should never be GMs

Well' they would give up Dlo in a heartbeat. They signed him to be a trade asset.

But no, I don't see either team doing that. PHI would want more, and while Reaves is unlikely to ever make an All Star team, his fit in LAL is undeniable and the price is right.

[circa70]

Its what philly expect back for harden as well.. How much will you give for a guy who fades in the biggest games.. Mid season opens up other possibilities though would the lakers give up dlo and reeves plus a first.. Would Philly take that..

Lakers wouldn’t take harden for Reaves str8 up & you’re recommending they give up dlo + FRP? That’s why causals should never be GMs

Well' they would give up Dlo in a heartbeat. They signed him to be a trade asset.

But no, I don't see either team doing that. PHI would want more, and while Reaves is unlikely to ever make an All Star team, his fit in LAL is undeniable and the price is right.

a trade asset yes, but not for James harden. I think they learned their lesson from the westbrick experiment. you really don't think philly would take reaves, dlo + 1st for harden? that's insane. they're not getting close to that from anyone and no way lakers offer that

[Pickled Prunes]

Lakers wouldn’t take harden for Reaves str8 up & you’re recommending they give up dlo + FRP? That’s why causals should never be GMs

Well' they would give up Dlo in a heartbeat. They signed him to be a trade asset.

But no, I don't see either team doing that. PHI would want more, and while Reaves is unlikely to ever make an All Star team, his fit in LAL is undeniable and the price is right.

a trade asset yes, but not for James harden. I think they learned their lesson from the westbrick experiment. you really don't think philly would take reaves, dlo + 1st for harden? that's insane. they're not getting close to that from anyone and no way lakers offer that

I think Reaves is good but currently overrated. He had a short run next to two HOF players. He isn't on anyone's white board. (See Linsanity!) The pick is a pick, but it will probably be in the 20's and D-lo would be viewed as a negative contract by many teams in the NBA. So no, I don't think they do that.

And you're right, as I said in my previous post, I don't think LAL would do that either. Reaves fits perfectly on the Lakers.