The Philadelphia 76ers appear to have something up their sleeve after trading James Harden to the Clippers early Tuesday morning.
The All-Star point guard got his wish when the Sixers sent him to Los Angeles, along with P.J. Tucker and Filip Petrusev, for Nic Batum, Marcus Morris, Robert Covington, K.J. Martin, a 2028 unprotected first-round draft pick, two second-round selections and a pick swap.
It was all a part of the 76ers’ plan to pursue another high-level guard in a trade to pair with MVP Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Tuesday.
The Sixers reportedly believe they have enough assets to do so as they work to retool their roster following a summer standoff with Harden.
Philadelphia is also waiving veteran guard Danny Green to make room for a roster spot, according to Wojnarowski.
Philadelphia had been in talks with the Clippers about a potential Harden deal on-and-off since July, but things simmered down in recent weeks.
Harden kept his distance from the Sixers before the start of the season, skipping a week of practices before showing up to travel for the team’s season-opening road trip.
The Sixers, however, asked Harden to stay back so he could ramp up at the team’s practice facility.
Harden will reunite with fellow veteran guard Russell Westbrook, his former teammate in Houston and Oklahoma City, as well as pair with All-Star forwards Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.
All four stars are from Los Angeles.
In the same report, Wojnarowski said Harden is “ecstatic” to join the Clippers, who were his desired trade destination.
Harden’s issues with the Sixers became evident when he decided to pick up his $35.6 million player option before the June 30 deadline, on his way to a trade request.
Things in Philadelphia seemed beyond repair by August, as Harden publicly blasted Daryl Morey — the team’s president of basketball operations —on the microphone at an event with Adidas in China.
Harden called Morey a “liar” and vowed to “never” play on a team that Morey was a part of.
Morey never directly addressed Harden’s comments publicly, but said he had hoped the point guard would rescind his trade request.
Harden landed in Philadelphia with Morey, his former Rockets general manager, last February in a blockbuster with the Nets for Ben Simmons.
The Sixers never made it past the Eastern Conference semifinals with Harden.
It’s unclear when Harden will suit up for the Clippers.
The point guard could be in attendance for Tuesday’s home game against the Orlando Magic, according to ESPN.