Clippers Reluctant to Offer Key Player in James Harden Trade

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It has been widely reported that the LA Clippers are pursuing a trade with the Philadelphia 76ers for James Harden; however, their aggressiveness may not yet be what some believe. During a recent episode of The Lowe Post, ESPN analyst and insider Zach Lowe said the Clippers have so far been reluctant to offer Terance Mann, picks, and potentially even Norman Powell in any Harden trade.
Lowe added that he's not even sure the Clippers and 76ers have had super significant dialogue on a Harden trade at this point. Even if the Clippers do have serious interest in Harden, this approach makes sense, because as Lowe also added, there isn't a significant bidding war going on for Harden right now. Teams like the Miami Heat and New York Knicks, who are expected to have interest in Harden, aren't currently offering Philadelphia what they would like in return for their star guard.
This is what has led many to believe that any Harden trade could take much longer than some initially anticipated. The 76ers are currently unwilling to accept anything less than what they deem an appropriate return, but that offer doesn't look to be on the table right now. From how Lowe made it sound, the Clippers understand this, and aren't going all-in with their offer right now. Reluctant to offer Mann, picks, and maybe even Powell, the Clippers are taking the right approach as things stand currently.
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Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA and WNBA for On SI. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined On SI to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts and in the classroom earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time, primarily serving as a Clippers beat writer.
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