Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers told NBA reporter Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints that the Los Angeles Clippers consulted him before trading for James Harden.
Rivers coached Harden on the Philadelphia 76ers.
“I was the one, obviously, they consulted,” Rivers said. “They made calls and I was one of the guys who said it would be a great deal for them because I thought he fit them better than he would fit the Sixers team. I think he’s a perfect fit there. It’s a league. We talk. They just talked, asked questions, and I was on board early.”
The Clippers acquired Harden from the Sixers in November. Harden is averaging 17.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 8.4 assists with LAC while shooting 45.0% from the field, 42.1% from beyond the arc and 87.4% from the free-throw line.
Harden becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer. The Clippers, who are 33-15 with Harden in the lineup, plan to re-sign the NBA legend, sources told Hoops Wire.
Rivers, who began the season at ESPN before taking over for Adrian Griffin on the Bucks, told Azarly that Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue has done a great job.
“He’s done a terrific job,” Rivers said. “Ty is obviously a sensational coach. I knew he was going to be. I’m the one who hired him. So every time I see him do well, it makes me happy.”
The Clippers are 36-17 on the season. They are in third place in the Western Conference standings. With Harden, Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and Russell Westbrook leading the way, the Clippers look like legitimate title contenders.
A future Hall of Famer, Harden has career averages of 24.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 7.1 assists with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Brooklyn Nets, Sixers and Clippers. He has made 10 All-Star teams and seven All-NBA teams.
Looking for the latest NBA Insider News & Rumors?
Be sure to follow Hoops Wire on TWITTER and FACEBOOK for breaking NBA News and Rumors for all 30 teams!
