I want to lead in by saying that I understand ANY team not wanting to trade ANYTHING for Harden.
I just don’t see him as an additive. It’s going to be subtraction through addition adding him to any team.
However, it seems like the Clippers DO WANT Harden.
So my question is: Why are they not willing to give up Terrance Mann to get him?
I mean… a rotation player, a first, and swap seem reasonable if Harden is somebody you want.
I get that they may want the picks top-5 protected… sure.
But Mann… he’s good. No doubt.
But he’s 26, still a single-digit scorer. Good shooter. Yes.
So why is he the hold up?
Am I missing something with this guy? I mean, last year the Clippers DECREASED his minutes. They can’t be THAT high on him.
What am I missing here?
Young player with upside
They probably don’t see any reason to be hasty, might as well start the season and see how they look then see what is on the table at that point. Could go either way, but not drastically in favor of the sixers
On paper Kawhi and PG is still pretty deadly. No need to rush the trade when they know the 76ers are backed into a corner
Because they dont want to. They believe Harden doesn’t make them that much better and Im inclined to believe they are right
Why wouldn’t they be reluctant to trade a good role player who is just entering his athletic prime and their last few upcoming firsts for a 34 year old who has had injuries the last few years, forced his way out of his last 3 teams, and is going to likely want big money when he hits free agency.
Not to mention they’re bidding against themselves, and if they don’t make the trade, it hurts Philly more than the Clips, so only 1 team has more incentive to get the trade than the other.
Harden will be a FA next offseason and you already know he’s looking for a max and he’s not worth the max, so he potentially leave if he don’t get what he wants, meaning you wasted your future draft pick and player/trade asset for nothing…
Harden is a one year rental, another injury risk on a team that can’t stay healthy, and is at an age where his production could drop off dramatically. He’s still a good player, don’t get me wrong, but he’s a luxury piece for a team that still has Kawhi and PG.
Mann is underused on the Clippers. He’s never going to be putting up 20ppg, but you can’t just ignore how valuable it is to have a guy that can guard multiple positions while also being a jack of all trades on the offense.