James Harden

James Harden News: Los Angeles Clippers Acquire James Harden in Trade

In a significant move within the NBA, James Harden, who ranks as the third-highest leading scorer among active players, has been traded to the Los Angeles Clippers. ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski reported on October 31 that the Philadelphia 76ers reached an agreement to send the star player to Los Angeles. The trade was officially finalized on November 1, coinciding with Harden sharing a photo on Instagram featuring himself alongside new teammates Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, which he captioned with a fire emoji.

Harden, who exercised his player option worth $35.6 million with the 76ers in June, became increasingly critical of the team’s front office, leading to his trade request. His dissatisfaction resulted in his absence from media day and the opening of training camp. Consequently, the former MVP did not participate in any of Philadelphia’s first three games of the season, which commenced on October 26.

Who Is James Harden?

James Harden is a prominent basketball player currently competing for the Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA. Renowned for both his exceptional on-court performance and his distinctive beard, Harden was selected as the No. 3 overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft. He began his professional career with the Oklahoma City Thunder, but it was his trade to the Houston Rockets in 2012 that marked a turning point in his career. Since then, Harden has established himself as a perennial candidate for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award and is recognized as one of the top scorers in NBA history, ranking 25th all-time as of November 2023. Among his many accolades, he achieved a record-setting 60-point triple-double in a January 2018 game and has recorded 23 career games with 50 or more points, placing him fourth on the all-time list behind legends Wilt Chamberlain, Michael Jordan, and Kobe Bryant.

Early Years

James Edward Harden Jr. was born on August 26, 1989, in Los Angeles, California. Raised primarily by his mother, Monja Willis, in Compton, Harden’s upbringing was influenced by the absence of his father, James Sr., a former Navy seaman. Despite facing challenges, including asthma, Harden displayed remarkable potential in basketball from a young age. By the time he tried out for the boys’ basketball team at Artesia High School in nearby Lakewood, he had grown to 6 feet, 1 inch and quickly impressed his coaches with his instincts and skills. He became one of the nation’s top high school players, leading Artesia to consecutive state championships and earning the distinction of McDonald’s All-American in 2007.

College Career at Arizona State

As one of the most highly regarded recruits in Arizona State University basketball history, Harden played a pivotal role in revitalizing a struggling program that had suffered a disappointing 8-22 record in the 2006-07 season. Under his leadership, the Sun Devils improved to 21 wins during his freshman year and achieved 25 wins, culminating in an NCAA Tournament appearance by his junior year. His outstanding performance earned him accolades such as the Pac-10 Conference Player of the Year and All-American honors. Concluding his collegiate career with an average of 19.0 points per game, Harden ranks third all-time in Arizona State’s record book. In recognition of his significant contributions to the program, the university retired his No. 13 jersey.

NBA Teams Overview

James Harden has been a prominent figure in the NBA since the 2009-10 season and is currently a member of the Los Angeles Clippers. Throughout his career, he has played for several notable teams, including the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Brooklyn Nets, and Philadelphia 76ers.

Oklahoma City Thunder

Harden was selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, marking a strong beginning to his professional career. He quickly made an impact, earning All-Rookie Second Team honors. By the 2011-12 season, Harden had become an integral part of a Thunder lineup that featured other superstar scorers such as Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. During this season, he was recognized as the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year, showcasing his significant contributions off the bench. The Thunder advanced through the playoffs but faced a challenging defeat in the NBA Finals, losing to LeBron James and the Miami Heat in five games.

Harden’s breakout season culminated in his selection to the gold-medal-winning U.S. Olympic team at the 2012 London Olympics, further solidifying his status as one of the league’s elite players.

Houston Rockets

In late October 2012, shortly before the commencement of the NBA season, the Oklahoma City Thunder made headlines with the announcement of a significant trade, sending James Harden to the Houston Rockets. This move was reportedly prompted by an inability to reach a contract agreement between Harden and the Thunder.

In exchange for Harden, the Thunder acquired guard Kevin Martin, recent draft pick Jeremy Lamb, and multiple future draft picks. However, the absence of an impact player capable of matching Harden’s production rendered the trade heavily lopsided in favor of the Rockets.

Upon joining the Rockets prior to the 2012-13 season, Harden quickly established himself as one of the premier players in the NBA. He secured his first of six consecutive All-Star selections that year and finished as the runner-up for the Most Valuable Player award in 2015 and 2017, ultimately winning the prestigious trophy in 2018.

Despite his individual accolades, Harden faced challenges in leading the Rockets deep into the playoffs during his initial years with the team. Houston advanced to the Western Conference Finals in 2015 but was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs in 2016. The following year, another promising season culminated in a second-round exit.

The arrival of veteran leader Chris Paul, combined with key role players like Eric Gordon, significantly bolstered the team’s performance. In the 2017-18 season, the Rockets achieved an NBA-best 65 wins, yet suffered a heart-wrenching defeat to the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Finals. The subsequent year, Harden showcased his scoring prowess to elevate the Rockets from a challenging start, but the team again fell to the Warriors in the playoffs.

Harden continued his dominance during the 2019-20 season, winning his third consecutive scoring title. This season was notably disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to its suspension on March 11, 2020, before resuming in a controlled “bubble” environment at Walt Disney World in Florida. However, the Rockets were eliminated by the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round. Following this season, both head coach Mike D’Antoni and general manager Daryl Morey departed from the organization, prompting Harden to request a trade from the franchise.

Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers

On January 24, 2021, James Harden’s aspirations materialized when he was traded to the Brooklyn Nets, where he joined forces with fellow superstars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. During his time with the Nets, Harden averaged nearly 25 points over 36 games, leading the team to the Eastern Conference semifinals.

In the following season, Harden earned his 10th consecutive All-Star selection but found himself at the center of trade speculation once again. In February 2022, the Brooklyn Nets traded him to the Philadelphia 76ers in a deal that included draft picks and young point guard Ben Simmons. Unfortunately, the 76ers faced disappointment, as they were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs in back-to-back seasons with Harden on the roster.

Trade to the Los Angeles Clippers

In June 2023, Harden exercised his player option with the Philadelphia 76ers, valued at $35.6 million. However, his relationship with the team’s front office soured as he publicly criticized president of basketball operations Daryl Morey, labeling him a liar and subsequently requesting a trade. This turmoil led Harden to miss media day and the opening of training camp, and he did not participate in the 76ers’ first three games of the season in late October.

On the morning of October 31, ESPN reported that Philadelphia had reached an agreement to trade Harden to the Los Angeles Clippers. The deal included a package of four players and multiple draft selections, which was finalized the following day.

“James is one of the most prolific and efficient playmakers in the NBA,” said Lawrence Frank, Clippers’ President of Basketball Operations, in a statement. “With his size and vision, he possesses an extraordinary ability to create for himself and others.”

James Harden: Statistical Achievements and Career Highlights

James Harden, renowned for his exceptional all-around skills, has achieved numerous record-breaking performances throughout his career:

• Historic Scoring Streak: From December 13, 2018, to February 21, 2019, Harden scored at least 30 points in 32 consecutive games, a remarkable feat that ranks second only to Wilt Chamberlain’s legendary record of 65 consecutive games.
• Pioneering Triple-Double: On January 30, 2018, Harden made history by becoming the first player in NBA history to score 60 points while also recording a triple-double, which includes at least 10 points, rebounds, and assists. This scoring performance not only set a new personal benchmark but also broke the Houston Rockets’ franchise record of 57 points, previously held by Calvin Murphy since 1978.
• Record-Setting Triple-Doubles: During the 2016-17 season, Harden was the first NBA player to record two triple-doubles with 50 or more points, a record later surpassed by Russell Westbrook.
• Unprecedented Season Statistics: By the end of the 2016-17 season, Harden became the first player to achieve at least 2,000 points (2,356), 900 assists (907), and 600 rebounds (659) in a single season, despite finishing with a league-high 474 turnovers.
• All-Around Contributions: In addition to his scoring prowess, Harden has single-game highs of 17 rebounds, 17 assists, eight steals, and four blocks. He led the NBA in free throws attempted and made from 2014 to 2019, in assists during the 2016-17 season, and in scoring from 2017 to 2019.

Endorsement and Signature Shoes

After his contract with Nike concluded, Harden signed a substantial 13-year endorsement deal with Adidas in 2015. This partnership culminated in the launch of his signature shoe, the Harden Vol. 1, which debuted in November 2016.

Adidas continued to innovate with the release of the Harden Vol. 2 during the NBA All-Star Weekend in February 2018. This shoe featured a wider base and a durable traction pattern on the outsole, enhancing Harden’s ability to execute his signature “Eurostep” move and improve his directional changes on the court.

Physical Attributes

Standing at 6 feet 5 inches tall, Harden is ideally sized for a shooting guard, his primary position. However, his exceptional dribbling and passing skills also make him well-suited for the point guard position. During the 2016-17 season, he transitioned to point guard but returned to his usual position when Chris Paul joined the Houston Rockets prior to the 2017-18 season.

Since his trade to the Brooklyn Nets in 2021, Harden has predominantly been classified as a point guard by Basketball Reference, although both positions are acknowledged in his professional biography.

“Stirring the Pot” Celebration

In 2015, James Harden introduced his signature “stirring the pot” gesture, which involves one hand cupped like a bowl while the other twirls inside it, following a significant shot. Observant fans noted a resemblance to a dance move featured in the music video for “Flicka Da Wrist” by Houston rapper Chedda Da Connect. However, Harden stated that he developed the gesture spontaneously while having fun with friends.

Girlfriends and Personal Life

Harden’s relationship with Khloé Kardashian in the summer of 2015 thrust him into the spotlight of the ever-evolving media narrative surrounding the reality-TV Kardashian family. This intense scrutiny reportedly made the soft-spoken basketball star uncomfortable, and he expressed relief when their romance ended early the following year.

Prior to his relationship with Kardashian, Harden was linked to rapper Trina and singer Ashanti. He has also been associated with social media personalities such as Jessyka Janshel and Arab Money.

In addition to his personal life, Harden is committed to philanthropic efforts. He established 3 The Harden Way Inc. to promote higher education opportunities for youth and, in 2017, pledged $1 million to aid victims of Hurricane Harvey.