Ranking the top 4 trade destinations for James Harden if the Clippers blow it

The Los Angeles Clippers they’ve had a star-studded roster for years. That it never seems to workhowever, mostly because the team always seems to catch the injury bug at the wrong time. Last year, they were surprisingly productive for most of the year despite their flaws, but it still resulted in a first-round exit by the Denver Nuggets. This year the team is really struggling. Considering they are the Clippers the oldest team in the NBA and carry a 5-13 record, there seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel.

The Clippers may have to finally let go of this core and prepare for the future. They have some big name players on the roster, some of whom have plenty of experience that they’ve traded with in the past. Both James Harden and Kawhi Leonard fit the bill in that regard. Harden, in particular, has a long history of trading. He’s fit in well in Los Angeles, but if the Clippers decide to blow him up, the former MVP could be on the move again. So what destinations would make the most sense for Harden?

Note: Harden cannot be traded until Dec. 15 because he signed a contract in the offseason.

James Harden could solve the Timberwolves’ point guard problem

Minnesota Timberwolves president of basketball operations Tim Connelly has never been afraid to make big deals. He traded a bunch of assets for Rudy Gobert, and he also sent Karl-Antonius Townes, one of the the best players in franchise historyfor the New York Knicks. Connelly’s boldness resulted in back-to-back appearances in the Western Conference Finals.

However, the team has failed to take the next step forward mainly because they are thin at the linebacker position. Mike Conley is well past his prime and Rob Dillingham has yet to reach his potential. The Timberwolves have one of the the best players in the NBA in Anthony Edwards, as well as numerous big men such as Gobert, Julius Randle and Naz Reed. However, the team does not have a table setting that would get these players the basketball.

It wouldn’t surprise anyone if Minnesota gets aggressive in the trade market again, meaning they could be considered one of the frontrunners in a trade for James Harden. Once a 30-plus point-per-game scorer who was in the Wilt Chamberlain and Michael Jordan conversations when it came to putting the basketball in the basket, Harden has become one of the best playmakers in the NBA in the twilight of his career.

In fact, Harden led the NBA in assists twice. Harden is the passing threat the Timberwolves need, but he would also form an electric trio with Edwards and Randle, which is essential for lineups that feature a defensive-minded player like Rudy Gobert. For the money to work, the Timberwolves would have to include Reed, Conley, Dillingham and Joe Ingles. This wouldn’t help their backcourt depth, but it could be worth it to get a playmaker worth having in the starting lineup.

The Trail Blazers could get their star in James Harden

The Portland Trail Blazers have given everyone trouble in the stacked Western Conference this year. They are loaded with depth, recent recruits and veterans who know their roles. However, they are clearly missing something, and that seems to be a star who could be a true number one offensive option.

The Harden trade could center on Scoot Henderson. The former No. 3 overall pick still hasn’t lived up to pre-draft expectations, but he’s also shrugging off the doom label that was quickly attached to him after a lackluster rookie year. The contracts of Robert Williams and Mathis Tibul could also be included in the trade.

The Trail Blazers have had moderate success this year despite Henderson being sidelined with a hamstring injury. They might be fine with moving on from their former premiership if it meant getting a player of Harden’s caliber. Meanwhile, the Clippers desperately need to get younger, so adding a recent high draft pick should be intriguing.

Damian Lillard is the other future star in Portland. He will miss this season, but hopefully he can return to his old Trail Blazers form next year. A Lillard-Harden backcourt is somewhat of a risky proposition as both players are past their prime and regressing defensively. Still, the Trail Blazers have a ton of other defenders to make up for it.

Donovan Klingan is an elite shot blocker and Tumani Kamara is an excellent defender at the point of attack. Jrue Holiday would also get backcourt minutes with Harden and/or Lillard, and he is known as one of the best defenders of all time. Trading Harden wouldn’t guarantee the Trail Blazers would take it to the next level, but they could be stuck in mediocrity if they don’t take this gamble.

Magic extension to add shooting

For years now, Orlando Magic they had plenty of size and defense, so they prioritized passing shooting. This was most evident when they traded catch for Desmond Bainbut this philosophy should not end after that move. Harden ranks second in NBA history 3 spell points.

That makes him great alongside Paolo Bunchero and Franz Wagner, and any defensive deficiencies associated with him would be masked by the rest of Orlando’s roster. Harden would do wonders for Orlando’s spacing and help the Magic get the ball.

Dealing with the Clippers would likely cost the Magic Jalen Suggs and Mo Wagner. Suggs has been a solid player when healthy, but injuries have kept him off the floor too often in recent years. The Magic as a whole have struggled with injury issues in recent years, and despite Harden’s age, this trade could actually help in that regard.

The Magic were expected to make a bigger jump this year. With that not yet happening and players like Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Halliburton out for the year in the Eastern Conference, now would be the time for the Magic to make a move to win. After the Bane trade, they don’t have much in the way of trading capital, but Suggs is a player that could attract the Clippers.

The Pistons decide to go all in

The Detroit Pistons were better than anyone could have guessed. They won 13 consecutive games to tie the franchise record before dropping it to the Boston Celtics. This comes in just two seasons of ownership worst losing streak in NBA history. The Pistons are young, fast and athletic.

While they have some solid veteran shooters, namely Duncan Robinson, the 3-point shot is still their biggest weakness. Cade Cunningham is shooting under 30% from deep, and Jalen Duren, Ausar Thompson and Ron Holland can be considered non-shooters.

Harden would bring a whole new dynamic to the offense, and he could be the missing piece that gets the Pistons to the NBA Finals. He would fit in perfectly next to a jumbo moderator like Cunningham. Harden could be traded to Detroit along with Chris Paul for Tobias Harris and Caris LeVert, the latter of whom struggled with the Pistons this year.

This trade would allow Harden and Paul to chase what is Paul’s last season. When it comes to Paul, the Pistons happen to need more backup point guard depth.