A three-team NBA trade idea sending James Harden from the Los Angeles Clippers to the Minnesota Timberwolves has been created.
NBA writer Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report created the following trade idea between the Timberwolves, Clippers and Brooklyn Nets:
Minnesota Timberwolves get: James Harden, Chris Paul, Jalen Wilson
Los Angeles Clippers get: Naz Reid, Mike Conley, Rob Dillingham, Joe Ingles, Tyrese Martin, $6.9 million trade exception, $8.8 million trade exception, $2.7 million trade exception, $2.3 million trade exception
Brooklyn Nets get: Brook Lopez, Kobe Brown, 2027 Cleveland Cavaliers second-rounder (via Timberwolves), $6 million (from Clippers), $1.96 million (from Timberwolves)
The Clippers have been a walking disaster this season. They are only 6-18 despite having Harden and Kawhi Leonard, two of the best players in the NBA.
Harden hasn’t requested a trade from the Clippers (yet), but there are some people around the NBA who believe Los Angeles will blow up the roster by trading Harden, Leonard, Ivica Zubac and some other veterans before the February trade deadline.
The Timberwolves would have a “Big 3” of Harden, Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert if this trade idea went down. Harden and Edwards are two of the top scorers and playmakers in the NBA and Minnesota is “itching to upgrade at point guard,” per Pincus.
Harden may be 36 years old, but he’s still putting up elite numbers. The future Hall of Famer is averaging 26.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game this season while shooting 44.3% from the field, 36.7% from beyond the arc and 89.9% from the free-throw line.
The Timberwolves have lost in the Western Conference Finals two years in a row. Perhaps Harden could be the missing piece Edwards and Co. need to get over the hump.
Minnesota is 15-8, good for sixth place in the West. Pincus’ trade idea can’t happen until January 15, when Reid is eligible to be traded.