Clippers unserious in talks about James Harden?

Clutch Points: “To me, it’s [Dwyane Wade]… But let me say this to Jeff Teague: You know better… It’s about knowing how to lead, not just recruit.” Stephen A. Smith on whether D-Wade or James Harden is the better all-time shooting guard Do you agree? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/BaNep3NoEC -via Twitter @ClutchPointsApp / July 28, 2023

Player empowerment has also grown in the league. You know, for example, like Damian Lillard right now. He’s basically saying he only wants to play for Miami. When it comes to the player empowerment, do you think that’s a good thing or a bad thing for a player to kind of dictate where they want to play in the league? James Harden: I see both sides of it. I see both sides because I went through it… to where the organization wants to do what’s best for them – they don’t want just to give a player that basically is one of the best players they’ve ever had in their organization away for nothing, so I get the organization side. And then I get the player side, as far as wanting to play and be somewhere, whether it’s because it’s the right situation for you, your family, or yourself or whatever that person is going through. So I see both sides. If they can meet in the middle and kind of come to an agreement and figure it out, then that’s like the best scenario. I wouldn’t want an organization to send a player somewhere where they wouldn’t want to be… because you’ve built a real relationship with that person. That person has done so many great things for your organization. But then you don’t want to give that player away for nothing. So I get both sides. So just find a balance, meet in the middle, and hopefully both sides can come to an agreement. -via HoopsHype / July 28, 2023

However, the New York Knicks have been mentioned as a team that has an interest in Harden as well. However, how would a Harden to New York trade work? It doesn’t appear that the Knicks have the assets to send Philadelphia in any type of deal. ESPN’s Bobby Marks mentioned on “NBA Today”: I think it’s hard for New York if you’re just trying to get that money there. If you’re not willing to give up RJ Barrett in a deal, I think Barrett would have to be probably involved in there. I think they add the pieces whether it be Isaiah Hartenstein or Immanuel Quickley, young players like that. I think it’s just hard to get the money to work. I think if you’re New York, if you had the expiring contract, certainly have that Evan Fournier contract, would you add an Immanuel Quickley and whatever another contract to get to the money working in and a first or second-round pick, but I think if you’re Philadelphia that’s what you’re looking at. -via Sixers Wire / July 28, 2023