Newly acquired James Harden, left, sits next to Clippers star Paul George as he visits the locker room prior to the team’s game against the Orlando Magic on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. The Philadelphia 76ers have agreed to trade Harden, a 10-time All-Star, to the Clippers. (AP Photo/Joe Reedy)
LOS ANGELES — Clippers coach Tyronn Lue danced around the questions, side-stepping any mention of the widely publicized trade involving a 10-time All-Star. He evaded all talk directed at a roster shake-up, turning Tuesday’s pregame news conference into a routine news conference about rebounding and transition defense.
Without an official deal in place, Lue was limited in what he could say about the team trading for former league MVP James Harden and veteran forward P.J. Tucker, a deal that was agreed upon late Monday night.
What’s going on around here these days, Lue was asked.
“Just our mindset and our approach,” Lue said of the team’s approach to playing the Orlando Magic. “Playing hard, practicing hard, getting better every day. That’s about it.”
It became difficult to ignore the obvious when the two new additions arrived at Crypto.com Arena, stopping to meet owner Steve Ballmer as cameras flashed on their way to the locker room, where their jerseys hung in newly assigned lockers.
Asked if he was excited as he strolled into the locker room, Harden said, “You don’t understand.”
The terms of the deal had not become official before the Clippers tipped off against the Orlando Magic on Tuesday, but the Clippers are reportedly sending Nicolas Batum, Robert Covington, Marcus Morris and KJ Martin, a 2028 unprotected first-round draft pick, two second-round picks, a 2029 pick swap and an additional first-round pick that will be routed from a third team to Philadelphia. Along with the 34-year-old Harden and the 38-year-old Tucker, Serbian big man Filip Petrusev, 23, is headed to the Clippers as part of the deal.
Harden first requested a trade – targeting the Clippers – in June when he opted into his $35.6 million player option for the 2023-24 season. During a promotional appearance in China in August, he called 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey “a liar” multiple times and said earlier this month upon rejoining the team that their relationship was irreparable.
From the reaction of the other Clippers players, coaches and trainers, Harden and Tucker seemed to have found a welcoming new home. Russell Westbrook, who played with Harden in Oklahoma City and Houston, was the first to embrace Harden. Westbrook then dapped Tucker and the trio shared laughs for several minutes.
Paul George added to the good vibes in the locker room as he sat in front of his locker, chatting up the newcomers who eyed their new surroundings.
Harden and Tucker watched the game from one of the upstairs suites and, should the deal get approval from the league late Tuesday, the two players could be on the bench for Wednesday’s game against the Lakers. Following that game, the Clippers have four days off before they begin a three-game trip in New York against the Knicks on Monday. The Clippers can use those four days as a brief training camp for Harden and Tucker once the deal becomes official.
In Philadelphia, Harden apparently believed he should have earned a long-term contract with the Sixers after last season. It never came, thus the trade demand.
Harden could have declined the option and decided to try for free agency. The player known as The Beard instead picked up his option with the 76ers for this season, with the desire to force a trade, but talks with the Clippers had quieted after the Clippers indicated they were determined to keep Terance Mann, the versatile wing player who had been named a starter before injuring his left ankle. The 76ers had sought a player of equal value for Harden and targeted Mann.
