Clippers Intend to Wait Out Drama Between James Harden, Sixers

It’s not exactly an NBA secret that James Harden is seeking a trade away from the 76ers and to the Clippers.

Harden has never officially said anything about Los Angeles specifically — just that he wants out of Philadelphia. That trade demand came shortly after he picked up a $35 million option on his contract in June. 

But as we relayed here, there has been no traction in trade talks between the 76ers and Clippers. That’s something ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reiterated during an appearance on NBA Today.

In case you missed it, Harden is indeed joining his teammates for training camp in Colorado Springs, Colo. Whether he practices and plays, however, may be another matter.

As for the Clippers, well, they can just sit and wait and see how it all plays out. and it appears that is precisely what they will do.

“Obviously, Harden has wanted that trade specifically to the Clippers since he opted into his deal in late June,” Wojnarowski said. “The Clippers have been on again, off again in talking to the Sixers for months about a James Harden trade. 

“I’ve been told that they’ve talked again recently, but there’s been no movement. The Sixers are asking for a lot to trade James Harden. They want to get back enough — either a player that can help them now or the assets that they could use to go get that player.

“The Clippers are in a situation now where they can wait on what happens in Philadelphia, on what happens with Harden (and) what might become a very distracting, circus-like atmosphere to play out. 

“They’re not necessarily motivated in LA to keep upping their offer, especially when they know they made the best offer that’s out there for James Harden. There’s really not another active, aggressive suitor. So I don’t get the sense that there’s any sort of a trade for James Harden in the short-term.”