On October 31, the 76ers traded former MVP and 10x All-Star James Harden and PJ Tucker to the Clippers for Robert Covington, Marcus Morris, Nic Batum, KJ Martin, 2x second round picks, a 2029 pick-swap, an OKC Thunder pick, and an unprotected 2028 first round pick.
In the beginning, many stated that the trade was won by the Clippers as they gained another former MVP to team up with Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, and Russell Westbrook.
However, the Clippers are 2-6 with Harden on the roster while the 76ers are the 2nd best team in the NBA record wise with a 10-3 record. In this stretch, Harden is averaging 16 ppg with 5 rebounds and 5 assist per game to go along with it.
Those are not terrible stats but going off of last year were he averaged 21-11-6 off the same efficiency shows a deep decline of his play.
The trade for Harden was a good one as the 76ers not only got a lot of draft capital back but gained 4 forwards who can defend and shoot well giving an edge to the 76ers against other teams as they can defend their best players yet still play well on offence.
It also explains the emergence of Tyrese Maxey as his player impact estimate is up a whole 4 points going from 10.9 to 14.8. This contrast Hardens as his went from 15.9 to 14.2.
The 76ers, also have a much higher pace rating going from the 27th best team in pace to 14th best while the Clippers have stayed around the same range only moving up by one going from 21st, to 20th.
The 76ers have by far have played better the the Clippers this season and its to the new coaching, pace, and the emergence of younger talent vs. the Clippers who have looked worse than previous years and have had proven talent disappoint as the team gets older each year.