James Harden’s relationship with trades has been well-known, given that he has played for five franchises in his 17 seasons in the NBA. However, a championship has still managed to escape from his hands. The guard has once again demanded a trade from his current team, the LA Clippers, even when the Clips are 9-3 in their last 12 games.
A few sources suggested that the Cleveland Cavaliers might be in talks with the Clippers to execute a deal for Harden in exchange for Darius Garland, who has missed a lot of time due to injuries. However, sports analyst Emmanuel Acho did not agree with the Cavs’ decision to pursue Harden. He said:
“I would not want James Harden if I were a championship team. Nothing about Harden spells championship, nothing about James Harden’s career spells championship. He is all the way over the hill, and James Harden has never been a catalyst for a winning champion. Remember the last time he had ultimate success was when he was a sixth man with the Thunder.”
Acho also blasted Harden for his no-show performance with several franchises and said:
“When he had to be the guy with the Rockets, not that, when he had to be the guy on the Nets, no that, when he had to be the guy on Sixers, not that, when he had to be the guy on Clippers, not that… So why in the world would anybody even want to trade for James Harden, if they have championship aspirations.”
The Cavaliers are fifth in the Eastern Conference and are looking forward to a good playoff run. Donovan ‘Spidy’ Mitchell has kept the team afloat, averaging a career-high 28.8 points. Harden’s inclusion will give the team versatility on the offense and might be a better option than Garland as an offensive operator.
The Clippers, on the other hand, are mounting a comeback on the back of Kawhi Leonard’s brilliance, who is averaging a career-high 27.6 points and 3.6 assists. He was even asked by the media about James Harden’s trade talks.
“I respect his decision,” Kawhi Leonard on James Harden’s trade talks
After the news of James Harden’s trade talks went public, Kawhi Leonard was asked by the media about his thoughts on the rumors. The Clippers forward was unfazed by the update and expressed his thoughts on The Beard.
Leonard said:
“I have no comment on it. I respect his decision or whoever’s decision it is. That’s it. He’s still going to be my boy. I trust the front office.”
Even though head coach Tyronn Lue and several teammates have expressed their belief in James Harden, the Clippers’ front office will have to either look for a new destination for their star guard or convince Harden to stay put and make a deep playoff run this season.
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