Tony Jones, a longtime NBA reporter, really got people talking. He apparently dropped some news for Clippers fans they didn’t want to hear about James Harden’s trade value. This sparked a pretty big debate over what Harden is truly worth in the league right now.
Jones Casts Doubt on Harden’s Worth
Jones, a writer for ‘The Athletic,’ was a guest on ‘The Zach Lowe Show.’ He definitely cooled down trade hopes for Harden, as Clipperholics reported. Fans were pretty much expecting any team wanting Harden to give up a first-round pick. Maybe even an unprotected one, you know? But Jones said the former MVP just isn’t worth that kind of asset. He even went so far as to say that Ivica Zubac leads the Clippers’ roster in trade value. That’s a strong take for sure.
Why Many Disagree on Harden’s Value
Clipper Nation, they’re not too happy with that idea. And look, Zubac is good, absolutely. He’s a really key player, almost untouchable for LA. He’s probably Lawrence Frank’s best asset, you can’t deny that. But Jones might be off a bit on Harden’s trade stock. His perception seems a little mistaken when you think about it. You just gotta glance over some recent big trades in the NBA to see why his logic might be a bit flawed.
The Durant Comparison: A Closer Look
Age is a huge factor in trades, that’s just how it is. And Tony Jones, he indirectly used James Harden’s 36 years as a knock on his value. But Harden, he’s headed for the Hall of Fame. He’s one of the only shooting guards in history who’s proven to be pretty timeless. So, if Harden isn’t worth a high draft pick according to Jones, then how did the Phoenix Suns land a first-rounder, and so much more, for Kevin Durant?
Sure, Durant is a better playoff performer. He’s got two championships under his belt. He’s a slightly more dominant basketball player overall. But he’s also older than Harden. He’s had his share of injury problems. And he hasn’t really been deep in the postseason in years. Harden and Durant, they both have their pros and cons as competitors. And similarly, their trade value is kind of neck and neck. It really is unfair to the LA Clippers to claim they can’t receive a good return for their prized floor general.
Harden just showed what he can do, too. He went toe-to-toe with Durant recently, posted 29 points and six assists on 50% shooting. And he helped blow out the Houston Rockets at the Intuit Dome. You can see some of those highlights in this video. He put on a show. There was another strong game against the Rockets too, where Harden also played well, you can catch clips on YouTube.
What This Means for the Clippers’ Future
So, the two-sided truth Jones tried to share, it’s partially right. Ivica Zubac is definitely a big piece Lawrence Frank will use in trade talks. He’s a strong marketing piece for sure. But on the flip side, the cost for Harden isn’t that far off.
The Clippers shouldn’t deal him without a first-round pick involved. There’s no player in the NBA, averaging an efficient 26.0 points, 8.1 assists, and 5.1 rebounds, who isn’t able to lure an appealing draft asset. That’s just facts. Fans are pretty much hoping the front office agrees and fights for that value. Maybe some more game action like this highlight reel will prove his worth.
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