Is James Harden still a franchise player? Clippers likely his last chance to prove it

James Harden got what he wanted. Again.

Wanted out of Houston, got traded to Brooklyn. Wanted out of Brooklyn, was traded to Philadelphia. Wanted out of Philadelphia and sought a trade to the Los Angeles Clippers. Got what he wanted.

On Tuesday, the 76ers traded the unhappy and problematic guard to the Clippers.

He forced his way out in one of the ugliest ways possible: he called Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey a liar twice without once explaining what he believes Morey lied about. He created an untenable situation. An NBA investigation into Harden’s public statements resulted in a $100,000 fine for "indicating that he would not perform the services called for under his player contract unless traded to another team." The investigation did not find that Morey violated any salary cap rule.

Morey kept quiet about Harden’s accusations, and the Harden problem is no longer his. Morey can focus on the Sixers and adding more talent around MVP center Joel Embiid.

As for Harden, this is his last chance to prove he is a valuable player worth having on a potential contender. Not even Damian Lillard, who is much better at this point of their respective careers, was traded to his preferred destination.

Harden was lucky in that regard. The only team that wanted him was the team for which he wanted to play. There’s a reason more teams weren’t interested in the 34-year-old former MVP. They don’t know if he’s worth it in the final season of a two-year, $68.6 million contract.

The Clippers are desperate, so they assumed the risk. Kawhi Leonard will be 34 when his contract expires after the 2024-25 season. Paul George will be 35 when his deal expires after the 2024-25 season, and Leonard and George have player options on their deals, but it’s hard seeing them pass up the $48.7 million they are owed next season. Russell Westbrook turns 35 on Nov. 12, and his contact is also up after 2024-25 though he, too, has a player option for next season.

The window to win a title with his aging group is closing fast, and there isn’t much left of this era of Clippers basketball.

To acquire Harden, the Clippers abandoned depth and draft assets to improve their chances of winning a title.

This is Harden’s last chance – not only to prove he still is the player who can make a team better but a player who fits in with an established hierarchy. It’s also his last chance to prove he is worth another lucrative contract.

Though Harden led the NBA in assists at 10.7 per game last season, he didn't make the All-Star Game for the first time after 10 consecutive times and missed All-NBA for the third consecutive season. He was good enough during the regular season but too inconsistent in the playoffs. Two 40-point games against Boston in the Eastern Conference semifinals were offset by 7-for-27 shooting in the two losses to finish the series after the Sixers took a 3-2 series lead.

Smart basketball minds in the Clippers front office wanted this move and owner Steve Ballmer is willing to pay an additional $29 million in luxury taxes for Harden. They believe it's an answer to a title-less franchise, one that reached the West finals in 2021 but missed the playoffs in 2022 and lost in the first round last season.

Can Harden prove he’s still that player? He got what he wanted. Can the Clippers get what they want?