The 76ers and Clippers appear to have finally found common ground, as the two sides have reportedly agreed to terms on a trade that will send James Harden to Los Angeles, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
The reported terms of the deal will send Harden, P.J. Tucker and Filip Petrusev to the Clippers in exchange for Nicolas Batum, Marcus Morris, Robert Covington, KJ Martin, a 2028 unprotected first-round draft pick, two second-round selections and a pick swap. Along with that mixture of players and picks, Philadelphia will also reportedly receive an additional first-round pick from a third team, per Wojnarowski.
It was later reported that the third team involved and sending a pick to the 76ers is the Thunder, who'll deal a protected 2026 first-rounder to Philadelphia, per Wojnarowski.
Negotiations between the two teams reportedly started earlier this past offseason, and the deal came a bit out of nowhere as the rumblings had quieted as of late. Less than one week ago, Wojnarowski joined ESPN's NBA Countdown to discuss the Harden trade talks, stating that the Clippers were "stepping back" from and "pausing" trade talks with the 2023-24 NBA season getting underway.
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The insider did state that the Clippers could revisit the negotiations at some point and that the franchise believed it was the "only bidder" for Harden and the only team to make a serious offer for Harden.
Apparently, the Clippers decided the time to revisit it was just three games into the new season. Currently, both Philadelphia and Los Angeles sit at 2–1 to start the year. Harden has yet to play a game for the 76ers, remaining in Philadelphia during the team's two-game road trip to begin the year. He also didn't suit up for Sunday's 126–98 win over the Blazers.
Prior to the game against Portland, 76ers coach Nick Nurse said Harden was back with the team, but still in the "ramp-up process," per Ky Carlin of Sixers Wire.
The 76ers and Clippers are set to meet first in Los Angeles on March 24 and then back in Philadelphia on March 27.
