The Clippers‘ refusal to part with Terance Mann continues to be the main obstacle to a potential trade involving Sixers guard James Harden, reports Sam Amick of The Athletic.
Two people involved in the negotiations tell Amick that the teams talked again on Monday, with Philadelphia offering to give up Harden in exchange for Mann, an unprotected first-round pick, a first-round pick swap and other players to match Harden’s salary. However, Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank refused to make Mann available, which has been the team’s position since trade talks began.
Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey said Frank was being “unserious,” according to Amick’s sources, and sarcastically suggested the Clippers should offer Paul George if they’re so determined to hold onto their lesser assets. Frank quickly dismissed the idea of parting with George.
Amick notes that the exchange leaves negotiations at the same impasse where they began when Harden made his trade demand in late June. The Sixers don’t have any traction on a deal with L.A. or anyone else as the start of the season looms next week.
Harden showed his displeasure with the situation by skipping Wednesday’s practice and has been away from the team since Sunday. A report earlier today said management plans to give him a chance to explain his absence before imposing any fines, which would start at $2,500 for a missed practice and could reach $389K for each missed game.
Harden is communicating with the Sixers through general manager Elton Brand, according to Amick. Harden remains angry at Morey over the way his contract was handled, and it’s not clear what his intentions are regarding the October 26 season opener.
The Sixers believe Harden’s anger should be directed at the Clippers, Amick adds. The position of Philadelphia’s front office is that Harden could have the trade he wants if L.A. would include Mann, and the Sixers would be left with enough assets to pursue a high-level player who could replace Harden and keep the team in title contention.
Sources tell Amick that Philadelphia already has trades lined up that would fetch a first-round pick in exchange for Mann. That pick would be used as part of a package to acquire another star later in the season. The Sixers see that as an equitable outcome considering the otherwise limited return they would be getting in exchange for Harden, according to Amick.
However, Harden believes L.A. has already made a reasonable offer and Morey is “moving the goalposts,” Amick adds. The Clippers have offered two first-round picks, but Morey isn’t satisfied with their quality because they have protections and could eventually turn into second-rounders if they don’t convey by a certain date.
Harden’s absence is the latest step in his desire to create an uncomfortable situation for the Sixers until he’s traded, Ramona Shelburne of ESPN stated in an appearance on NBA Today (video link).
“Somebody close to him told me this is only the beginning of what he plans to do here,” Shelburne said.
LOLHarden
If I’m the Los Angeles Clippers I’m not trading Terrence Mann for James Harden either. James Harden is a first ballot hall of fame but a cancer to a team and a defensive liability because he doesn’t even try to play defense. Then he don’t impact winning at all.
Terrence Mann on the other hand hand is young and ready. He’s athletic and can shoot. He can guard multiple positions and play multiple positions. He can guard three positions and play three positions. The young fella impacts winning!!!
Then do to the uncertainty with Kawhi Leonard Paul George and Russell Westbrook you have to keep Terrence Mann.
James Harden is on an expiring deal and all he’s worth is expiring contracts and 1 first round pick. That’s it.
I told people about this guy since he was with the Houston Rockets putting up crazy numbers and winning scoring titles and MVP. He don’t impact winning. Him or Russell Westbrook. They tried it twice in Oklahoma City and Houston together with no success. These guys not worth young two way players. Los Angeles Lakers made the mistake when they gave up Kyle Kuzma and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and eventually cost them Alex Caruso. I wouldn’t never have made that trade for no Russell Westbrook and I definitely would make this trade if I’m the Los Angeles Clippers for James Harden and giving up Terrence Mann.
Also LOLMorey
Geez. Just trade the guy. He will make your life and the Sixers life unbearable.
Morey has nothing. His hand is a bunch of nothing. He has zero leverage over a guy who just does not care. Oh he can fine him, take his FA eligibility, but I firmly believe Harden when he says he will not play for Morey.
So what to do? Yeah…nothing. IF you hold him, you get nothing. You will get nothing. If you trade him now, you get 7 cents on the dollar. Fine, ill take my 7 cents and let the Clippers deal with Harden and his next trade demand.
Embiid asking for a trade in 3…2…..1….. Great job Daryl, waiting to trade Harden so you can trade Embiid as well. Then you and the Sixers can go back to tanking, which is the only thing this Sixers team has ever been good at.
Maxey asking for a trade will be right after he signs the extension.
In reality, Morey ACTUALLY has leverage because Harden can’t withhold his services for more than 30 days without losing the right to become a free agent.
And how exactly does that benefit Philly?
As long as Harden is not on the court for Philly. Philly is better off.
If any team offers any salary matching deal they need to pounce on it. Trading anyone for Harden will likely get any GM fired. They, just like us, have seen this story before ace we all know how acquiring Harden ends… every time.
They weren’t even good at tanking! Come on now
Mann isn’t ever going to be a difference maker, I don’t understand why he is the holdup on this trade. He isn’t even extra young and developing more, he’s already 27 today.
You don’t negotiate with yourself. Good principle. No one else has even offered anything. Ball’s in Morey’s court.
Pathetic comment. Morey doesn’t need to do anything. The clippers cannot compete with the Lakers,Suns,Nuggets,Warriors,Kings etc etc etc as is.
I’m not sure you understand how a negotiation works then. Clippers have all the leverage. Why move Mann now when you didn’t earlier? Now that would be stupid.
Lakers? They don’t have a chance in the west
Clippers ain’t that interested. They traded for Bones Hyland last year. Plenty of point guards will ultimately hit the market cheap. Monte Morris?? Kris Dunn???? Dunn is an excellent defensive player. Malcolm Brogdon???? CJ McCullum?????
Harden and Westbrook don’t fit together. Westbrook can’t shoot at all, and Harden is not nearly the shooter he used to be.
Harden and Westbrook guarding Devin Booker and Brad Beal???
They seem interested. They could just trade 1 FRP, 2 SRPs, RoCo, and Batum for Brogdon tho and be done with the Harden saga.
Reporters seem interested in keeping the story alive. Harden more than happy to provide added entertainment.
Clippers are focused on the guys in the locker room right now.
27 is apparently the new 19. Mann is the 7th or 8th option on this team.
He may be, but he’s a multi positional 3 and D player, which makes him one of the most popular guys in the NBA right now.
He’s a bench player at best.
He’s no Kai Jones man.
Who’s Kai Jones?
I think he’s a rapper or something..
Kai Jones is the GOAT when they update the logo it will be his silhouette.
If I’m the 76ers, you have to try to get another scoring guard back; otherwise, I’m simply just not doing the deal probably until the trade deadline.
Either they’ll have Harden or they won’t, but if they aren’t getting back a decent scoring guard, then they might as well just hold on to Harden until the Clippers either get creative or give in..
If I’m Morey, I’m not taking your garbage spare parts and just some late first round pick solely for the Clippers sake of trying to get better…
After this season the Philadelphia 76ers will blow it up. Daryl Morey & Elton Brand will be out of this job. Joel Embiid will be wearing a New York Knicks uniform. Acquired via trade and the Philadelphia 76ers will be rebuilding around Tyrese Maxey and O.G. Anunoby.
I feel bad for my boy Nick Nurse because he stepped into some dog poop. James Harden is not the kind of player or person you want on a team that’s competing for championships.
Then Joel Embiid is the type of player you have to trade to start the rebuild. Teams are going to give up a ton for him.
Embiid and Maxey aren’t going anywhere. The Sixers will have a large amount of cap space next offseason. It’s still a great situation. Plus, Nurse is going to get more out of the current roster than Rivers did.
Morey just needs to accept that he isn’t going to get what he wants for Harden. The Sixers may not contend this year, but they can bounce back next year.
As a Sixers fan, I wasn’t thrilled about Harden in the first place. At the time, he was just a way to move Simmons. If the Clippers acquire Harden, you can be sure they aren’t winning the championship either.
That said, I’m not sure Morey is the guy to build a winner for the Sixers. His main strategy throughout his career is to cater to Harden and build the team around him. With that bridge now burned, can he build a winner? Here’s an idea, Darryl: bring in some guys with talent AND CHARACTER.
if I am the Clippers keep your draft picks and players Harden is a cancer
Yep, if ever you wanted confirmation that you don’t need three superstars and a pile of role players to win a title, look at the Nuggets. A bunch of guys who get along and are team first works even better.
You just need a 2x MVP
Pretty much. They all do.
westbrook was an mvp. harden was too. kawhi finals mvp. does that count?
Harden doesn’t make the Clippers better.
He might help the clippers but how does the sixers get help without Mann?
It’s not like the sixers want to rebuild and get picks.
Mann won’t move the needle but perhaps the sixers flip him for?
Harden will be out of the league real soon
The clippers are aging and likely lose their stars ⭐️ time for some teams to blow it
Harden is staying in Philly.
He won’t play hard, won’t play defense, and will make the team worst.
Will walk away a free agent and will sign with the Clippers 2024.
Dismissed.
Clippers have decent players. My beef is how teams like the clippers over pay their players. With the new cba, teams better pay according to performance because the super tax is for real.
Suspect warriors will be letting Thomson walk just to get their financial house back in order.
Some teams still way above the second apron.
Harden likely goes to the clippers. Will it be now or later ?
The Clippers, much like fantasy players, want something for nothing. Mann isn’t that great anyway.
Mann is willing to play basketball and Harden isn’t, so I’d argue Philly is actually the one offering nothing. I’d take Mann over Harden any day.
You should reflect on that ludicrous comment.
You guys don’t understand that this isn’t a one-for-one deal. It’s basically two first rounders, a few role players, and then Mann. The 76ers didn’t even expect Harden to pick up his option. He could have just walked and they would have nothing to show for it. Anything they can get at this point is gravy. What kind of idiot would trade the last controllable 1st rounders you have through 2030 basically, plus guys who can offer you some minutes and a decent young player like Mann? Harden is a great player but he has to fit on a very specific kind of team and the Clippers at least willing to give up something. They’re stupid to not take it because it will be their best offer.
Philly can have Mann and Paul George no problem. Straight swap for Harden and Embiid.
Why would any team want Harden to start with? He’s proven exactly what he is since he left Houston. And now he’s getting old!
Old pre Madonna’s don’t wear well.
I mean Harden kinda right
If your wanting Mann just to include him in another trade for an additional first why not just take the clippers offer without Mann and with the additional first.
I’m sure it would be easier to negotiate pick protections rather than including a player they don’t want to lose.
Either way if I’m Morrey it’s time to look elsewhere, forget what Harden wants and where he wants to go. Get the best return possible and let him be unhappy elsewhere.
As for trading for another star, yeah unlikely.
Who are your fingers crossed for?
Your not getting a top 20 player, maybe at best Dallas gives up on Kyrie and you try for him.
Aside from that even if a guy like Trae Young was made available he’s not a good fit, he don’t have the assets and your making a name for yourself around the league of someone not to deal with.
Outside of the Clippers, who else would want Harden? And I don’t think the Clippers are closer to winning a title with Harden because he has been discontent in three other situations and he will be discontent again with the Clippers.
“The Sixers believe Harden’s anger should be directed at the Clippers” is one of the funniest and most absurd spins I’ve heard (outside of politics) in AGES!!!
I hope this “drama” keeps up at least until the trade deadline! I can’t WAIT to hear more gems like that one…
Morey calling any other team’s FO “unserious” is comical. The guy is a glorified 2k’er, who’s headed FO’s for 20 years without really understanding the most basic element of his job (team building). If he did, he wouldn’t be shocked that about the LAC’s position on Mann.