$22,000,000 Rich NBA Star Stands in the Way of James Harden Moving to the Clippers, Amid “Unrepairable” Daryl Morey Relationship

James Harden has been one of the premier players of the past decade in the NBA. A superstar in every shape and form, but he finds himself practicing for a team he doesn’t want to play for. The former league MVP is one of the most polarizing figures in the NBA. He is without a shadow of a doubt one of the most talented players around. However, finding potential takers for him remains challenging.

With the new NBA season around the corner and the Clippers interested in Harden. It looks like the 76ers need to make a decision soon because it will have huge consequences for the season ahead.

Clippers Interested in Harden

James Harden has been taking shots at Daryl Morey and the Sixers front office the entire summer. Harden called Morey a “Liar” and has vowed to “never be a part of an organization that he’s a part of”. Harden also showed up late for the Sixers training camp at the University of Colorado. But the videos showed him working hard before the start of the season. Now, with the NBA season almost upon us, uncertainty surrounding Harden’s future looms large.

The Los Angeles Clippers have registered an interest in trading for Harden, but Morey has been holding up the deal. The Clippers have offered a first-round pick, a draft-pick swap, and expiring contracts for Harden. But Morey is holding out for a package surrounding 26-year-old forward Terence Mann.

In 2021, Mann signed a team-friendly two-year contract worth $22,000,000. Harden has stated that the relationship between him and the front office cannot be repaired because, “When you lose trust in someone, it’s like a marriage. When you lose trust in someone … it’s pretty simple”. The Clippers have made their offer, now the ball is firmly in the Sixers’ court. The situation will only get more uncomfortable for all parties if it drags into the season.

Now or Never for the Clippers

The Clippers have gone big in order to win the NBA title. In 2019, they signed Kawhi Leonard in a free agency and made a blockbuster trade for Paul George. This positioned them as the leading contenders for the championship over the past few seasons. But their most noteworthy achievement was reaching the Conference Finals in 2021, where they fell short against the Suns.

Read More: Showing Up With Ulterior Motives to Practice, Will James Harden Play Again for 76ers?

Both Paul George and Kawhi Leonard are in the last season of their contracts and if the Clippers don’t compete, they might decide to look for greener pastures. The Clippers have been lacking a true point guard and Harden would be a perfect fit for them. The 2018 MVP led the league in assists per game with 10.7 assists. They can also rely on the firepower of Russell Westbrook. With the league more competitive than ever, the Clippers need to make a move to win an NBA title. If PG and Kawhi decide to leave in the summer of 2024, then the future of the Clippers looks very bleak.

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