James Harden: An All-Star & The Pursuit of a Veteran with Championship Mentality
The LA Clippers had a busy week this past week. The team went on the road for a four-game trip, where they went 2-2.
The Clippers lost a close game on the road to the Suns 111-109 but bounced back, winning in San Antonio 128-116 on Wednesday and 112-104 in Charlotte on Friday.
During that week, the NBA All-Star reserves were announced. For the Clippers, it was a great day because James Harden was selected as a reserve for the 2025 NBA All-Star game.
Harden will make his 11th career All-Star appearance (2013-2022, 250) and his first with the Clippers. He is just one of five active players who have earned All-Star honors 11 times.
PHOTO: Gary A. Vasquez/Imagn Images
This is amazing for Harden because, in his 16th NBA season, James Harden is averaging 21.7 points, 8.4 assists, 5.8 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 33.8 minutes in 44 games this season. Harden also posted 16 points-assists double-doubles(fifth most in the NBA), and he currently ranks sixth in the league in assists.
James Harden is just one of four NBA players averaging at least 20 points, eight assists, and five rebounds.
Harden has also carried this Clippers team to a 19-15 start to the season without superstar Kawhi Leonard to begin the season.
James Harden has scored 20+ points in 26 games, 30 or more four times, and three 40-point games. This shows why the Clippers have a 28-21 record and are 6th in the Western Conference standings. James Harden has been really important for the Clippers.
Trade with Utah
In other Clippers news, the team made a trade with Utah, in which they acquired center Drew Eubanks and veteran guard Patty Mills in exchange for Mo Bamba and PJ Tucker. For the Clippers, PJ Tucker has not played at all this season, given his injury as well. As for Mo Bamba, though he was good for the Clippers at times, he wasn’t making that much of an impact on the court to the team as much as the team wanted to get out of Mo Bamba this season.
As for what the Clippers got in return, the Clippers needed bench depth and landed two players, Patty Mills and Drew Eubanks, who are coming to a Clippers team in need of that. Drew Eubanks is a young, athletic, experienced center who can score efficiently and protect the rim. Eubanks averaged 5.8 points and 4.5 rebounds in 37 games this season for Utah. Eubanks contracts favor the Clippers because he is in the second year of his deal and a not guaranteed contract.
The Clippers also got Patty Mills in the trade. Patty Mills is a veteran guard and former teammate of Kawhi Leonard and James Harden. Though Patty Mills averaged 4.4 points a game for the Jazz this season, he brings in the veteran and leadership role for the Clippers that they need to win championships.
Looking ahead, the Clippers have room to acquire more assets and key pieces as the team looks to be building on contending and building for the future.
With the trade deadline fast approaching, it won’t be a surprise if Clippers GM Lawrence Frank makes another trade to help improve the team.
PHOTO: Gary A. Vasquez/Imagn Images
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