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“They’re Getting Older”: Draymond Green Confesses/Exposes Health Concerns amid James Harden Trade Drama

Published 11/01/2023, 12:58 AM EDT

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USA Today via Reuters

After a wait that seemed longer than ever, James Harden is finally set to don a Los Angeles Clippers jersey. Even though it took longer than fans and Harden anticipated, the 10-time All-Star got exactly what he wanted. The news was initially broken by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, setting the basketball world abuzz. Harden’s stint with the 76ers, much like his previous team, turned out to be brief. He graced the court for 79 games in a Philadelphia 76ers uniform. Over one and a half seasons, he averaged 21.0 points, 10.6 assists, and 6.4 rebounds per game.

Now, Harden is about to join what could be the best team in his entire NBA career. The Clippers, in acquiring him, have assembled one of the most unique and formidable backcourt combinations the league has ever seen.

Draymond Green applauds Clippers’ lineup while keeping things real

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The addition of James Harden to the Los Angeles Clippers is undeniably a significant move; even though Harden has encountered some recent setbacks on the court. Harden is a 10-time NBA All-Star and quietly led the league in assists last season. This makes his presence on the Clippers a noteworthy development. Given the gravitas of the trade, players, along with the franchises, also recognize the impact of the trade.

Recently, Draymond Green, a major part of a contending team himself, gave his nod of approval to the Clippers’ on-paper lineup. Green remarked, “You can’t really put together a better team on paper.” However, he did raise a valid concern that could potentially come back to haunt the Clippers; especially considering their performance in recent years. “They are also getting older, just like us. I believe all of those guys are probably in year 14 or 15 or even more,” Green noted, acknowledging that maintaining their health will be a crucial challenge for the Clippers.

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Kawhi Leonard is 32 years old, while his partner in crime, Paul George, is a year senior. Meanwhile, James Harden and his former teammate Russell Westbrook clock in at 34 years. On the other side of the competition, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson are both 33, while Stephen Curry leads the charge at 35.

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The undeniable truth is that the championship window is slowly but surely closing on the Warriors. With this reality in mind, the Clippers need to approach each move with great care and strategy. They have a lot to prove not only to the league but also to their passionate fan base.

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Harden has already arrived in LA

The official confirmation of the trade between the Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers is still pending. However, there was no hesitation from James Harden and P.J. Tucker, who wasted no time in making their way to the Crypto.com Arena. The Clippers were scheduled to face off against the Orlando Magic.

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In no time, James Harden and P.J. Tucker were warmly greeted by team president Lawrence Frank. Furthermore, adding to the welcome party was Clippers owner Steve Ballmer.

It appears that Harden’s affection for the Clippers will be met with equal enthusiasm. With key figures of the franchise already showing their support and star players all around, the big question looms: can Harden be the catalyst to propel the Clippers beyond the early playoff stages?

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Written by:

Saahil Dhillan

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Saahil Dhillan is an NBA Writer at Essentially Sports. He has been writing articles and blogs for 5 years now, including those for a sports brand that manufactures knee braces, for a Red Bull athlete in 2019 and for a documentary of an Ultra Running Coach in 2021. There’s plenty Saahil can write about why he likes basketball, having followed the NBA for more than 10 years, but he is most keen on picking out various offense/defense strategies, on/off-court decisions, roster changes in crunch time and other underrated key elements that leave an impact on the scoreboard.
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Edited by:

Sameen Nawathe