James Harden has been asking to join the Clippers for some months now, and he has now finally gotten his wish.
It started to feel like maybe this deal was never happening in the first place, but here we are.
A missed game and some missed practices later, we have arrived.
What did LA give up for Harden?:
In short, a bag of chips and a bottle of Dr Pepper.
According to a report from ESPN, they gave up; Morris, Covington, Batum, KJ Martin, and a 2028 unprotected first for Harden, PJ Tucker, and Filip Petrusev.
Besides Harden, getting Tucker is huge for depth:
The Clippers bench is now; PJ Tucker, Terrance Mann, Bones Hyland, and Mason Plumblee.
Not the greatest bench sure, but for a team with 3 stars and a fourth future hall of famer in Westbrook, that’s absolutely enough to get the job done.
The familiarity between Westbrook, Harden, and Tucker due to their 2019-2020 stint in Houston will play a role in developing team chemistry as well.
So what’s the verdict? Future Champs?
Yes, and if not then this trade is a bust.
You can argue that Boston and Milwaukee are the favorites but given the Bucks lack of four future hall of famers, and Boston’s lack of depth, I am not so sure.
Had this trade included guys like Mann or Bones, then yes Bucks and Celtics maintain the spot as favorites.
However, because LA will keep Mann when he’s back from injury, the Clippers should be the favorites to win the 2024 NBA finals in my opinion.
Championships require stars, defense, and depth to which only the Clippers have all three to the degree in which they do.
That is just my opinion however, only time will tell the whole story.
Regardless of outcome though, all eyes will surely be on Los Angeles for the rest of the 2023-2024 NBA season, and not just to watch Lebron James and the Lakers.
