Blockbuster Trade: James Harden Finally On The Move

After all the madness of the James Harden drama consuming the NBA rumor mill all day long, all summer, it finally happened, quietly, in the middle of the night. Harden got his wish (don't they always?), getting dealt to the Los Angeles Clippers in a blockbuster trade. 

BREAKING: The Philadelphia 76ers are trading James Harden and PJ Tucker to the Los Angeles Clippers for Nicolas Batum, Marcus Morris, Robert Covington and KJ Martin, and draft picks, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. pic.twitter.com/4gwGJgrYUb

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 31, 2023 

The Philadelphia 76ers are trading the forever-trade-demanding Harden, PJ Tucker and Filip Petrusev to the Clippers for Nicolas Batum, Marcus Morris, Robert Covington and KJ Martin, and multiple draft picks, which break down as follows:

- 2026 LAC first-round pick via OKC - 2028 LAC first-round pick - Two second-round picks (2024, 2029) - One pick swap

Does this return help the Sixers put the type of team around Joel Embiid to compete for a championship? According to Adrian Wojnarowski, they'll likely try to use those first-round picks and some of that depth to acquire a star play towards the trade deadline.

Philly brings in a number of expiring contracts that will give them as much as $50 to $65 million in salary cap space next summer.

The Sixers are also waiving Danny Green to create roster space for the incoming players.

As for the Clippers, Harden will go ring-chasing with a new set of superstars around him, joining Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. It didn't work for him with Chris Paul; it didn't work for him with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, and it didn't work for him with Joel Embiid. We'll see if the oft-injured Leonard and PG are any different.

It also reunites Harden and Russell Westbrook, who played together in Oklahoma City and in Houston.

Photo: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports