Harden may leave the Clippers! The three potential next players are released, the Clippers are facing reconstruction, and the future of the small card is uncertain

The playoffs this season are in full swing. The teams with home advantage have all fallen into the semi-finals, especially the Cavaliers, the number one in the East, who lost to the Pacers two consecutive games at home. In addition, the team's main players Garland, Mobley and Hunter are all injured, which is almost almost eliminated. Other teams that ended this season's journey early are also planning to strengthen or rebuild during the offseason. The most discussed here are Antetokounmpo and Durant. Judging from the news given by the US media, the Rockets are most likely to pursue Durant, while Antetokounmpo wants to go to big cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and Miami, just like Doncic. In the words of columnist Baker, the Bucks have no obligation to meet Antetokounmpo's needs, so the situation is not that optimistic.

Speaking of the most regrettable team this season, the two Los Angeles players are definitely included. The Lakers were third in the regular season, but they were eliminated by the Timberwolves 1-4 in the first round of the playoffs. The reality of not having a center, and the three giants have limited contributions to the defensive end, which makes the Lakers completely uncompetitive. The Clippers are also disappointing. They originally played perfect regular season performance. Leonard recovered for half a season and Harden came to the top six in the Western Conference. After Leonard returned, he won 18 games in the final stage and became a favorite team to win the championship. But in the playoffs, he lost 3-4 to the Nuggets and was unfortunately eliminated. Harden's sluggish performance in G5 and G7, in the words of the US media, has become a daily routine in the playoffs every year, and he will never disappoint. Clippers President Frank said at the end of the season that the team will not be bad.

But he also emphasized that it is crucial to handle Harden and Batum's contract during the offseason, and he also respects the fact that Harden has a $36.3 million player option. In the words of a salary expert, even if Harden wants to stay in the Clippers, it will be difficult for him to get a contract with an average salary of 35 million (more than 2 years) from the Clippers. No matter how outstanding his ability to guarantee the basics in the regular season, the fact that there is no upper limit in the playoffs cannot be changed. Moreover, Harden and Kat are one year older next season. The Clippers will only have one first-round pick in 31 years in the next seven years to participate in the transaction: the Thunder have the Clippers' first round swap rights for 25 years, the 76ers or the Thunder have the Clippers' first round pick in 26 years, the Thunder or the Nuggets have the Clippers' first round swap rights for 27 years, the first-round swap rights for 28 years belong to 76ers, and the first-round swap rights for the first three picks in 29 years belong to 76ers, and they have no room for reinforcement.

In the words of "FW" column reporter Bitar, the Clippers have reached a crossroads where they have to make a reconstruction decision. The window period for the championship is getting smaller and smaller, and there is not enough bad assets, so they can only trade! Regarding Harden's contract to take players, the US media listed three potential next players, first of which is the Raptors, with the plan being: the Clippers get Quickley + Dick + 29 and 31 first-round picks. The Raptors need someone to help Barnes and Ingram take on the role of organization. Harden has a strong guaranteed ability in the regular season, which helps Barnes grow rapidly. For the Clippers, Quickley and Dick's average output of 31 points per game this season can help the team improve the offensive environment. At the same time, they are young enough to help the Clippers complete the transition stage of the old and new transition stage.

followed by the Miami Heat: the Clippers got Wiggins + Jovic + 29 and 31 first-round picks. It is no secret that Wiggins is unhappy with the Heat. Similarly, after the Heat sent Butler away, Herro and Adebayo still need a veteran to control the game. Harden's standard of averaging 20 points and 8 assists per game in the regular season can relieve a lot of pressure from Herro and Adebayo. For the Clippers, two first-round picks + younger Wiggins is also a relatively good option, because Wiggins can provide outside defense and stable 18-point data. The third team is the Jazz, and the Clippers get Sexton + Clarkson + 25-year Jazz first-round pick + 31-year first-round pick. In Bitar's words, it is not ruled out that Angie finds a veteran for Macanen and Collier to help him grow.

The Clippers were originally very promising to win the championship this season. Kat found his state when he led the Raptors to the championship in 2019 in the second half of the season. Harden guaranteed the bottom and led Powell and Zubac to explode. But in the playoffs, Xiaoka averaged 25 points per game, and his dominance decreased; Harden was even invisible in a critical battle and turned into a refusal to shoot. In the words of Los Angeles media, the biggest problem for the Clippers is that Ka and Harden are one year older next season, and the window for winning the championship will slowly close. Harden's contract is flexible. If he is not careful in choosing, the team is afraid of losing money. If Harden can be exchanged for two first-round picks + young combat power, the Clippers should not hesitate. What’s even more embarrassing is that Leonard may become a victim of the transaction. According to the plan listed by the US media, Leonard also has three next players.

The Clippers can use him to pursue Clarkston + Cameron Johnson, or Porter + Najib + Watson + 31 first round, or Zion + 25 first round pick. The trading market of Xiaoka is not as good as Harden, because he has been unable to maintain his health for several consecutive years and his body may not be able to return to his peak state. Of course, Harden can take the initiative to jump out of the player option. But in the words of a salary expert, championship-level teams do not need a big core like Harden, and teams that are bad are not needed, not to mention that it is difficult for him to get a big contract, so he can only leave it to fate. The Clippers can also continue to retain the lineup of Xiaoka + Harden, but if they really wait until next summer, they may not be able to get the first round pick.