The Los Angeles Clippers made a statement with the acquisition of James Harden. The prolonged Harden trade saga concluded with a mutually beneficial outcome. Harden secured his desired move to the team he preferred. While the Sixers successfully acquired valuable role players and secured two first-round picks.

The 76ers GM Daryl Morey finally relented and gave Harden his wish, but the duo seemed to have burned every bridge between them. However, a former Houston Rockets star believes that the two will eventually settle their differences.

Eddie Johnson Believes that Harden and Morey will Reconcile

James Harden was finally dealt to the Los Angeles Clippers after the saga dragged on for the entire offseason. Harden and Daryl Morey were on excellent terms before this offseason, but cracks began to appear after Morey didn’t adhere to his promise. During an offseason trip to China, Harden said, “Daryl Morey is a liar and I will not be part of a franchise that he is part of.” 

After a tense stand-off, the team granted Harden’s wish and traded him to his preferred destination, the Clippers. Reports suggested that Morey and Harden were not on talking terms, but former Rockets star Eddie Johnson believes that the duo will reconcile. He said, “I think time heals all wounds, especially when you have good stuff to compare. These two dudes really care for each other.” He added, “I think they make up. I think eventually it will heal because when you retire you tend to wanna forgive certain situations. I just can’t see him carrying that forward at that level. It’s not worth it, especially with a guy that took care of him”. 

Daryl Morey had a very big impact on Harden’s career. Before this offseason, the two had a very good working relationship. Morey was the reason Harden joined the Philadelphia 76ers in the very first place. Morey’s belief in Harden’s abilities was evident from the start, leading him to acquire Harden through a trade during his tenure as the Rockets’ GM.

Before Things Turned Sour

James Harden’s impact on the Houston Rockets was nothing short of transformative. When Harden was acquired from the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2012, he quickly became the centerpiece of Morey’s analytics-driven approach to the game. Harden’s scoring prowess and ability to draw fouls made him an offensive juggernaut. His isolation plays and three-point shooting perfectly aligned with Morey’s philosophy of efficient shot selection.

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Under Harden’s leadership, the Rockets consistently reached the playoffs and contended for championships. Harden’s individual accolades, including multiple scoring titles and MVP awards, underscored his influence. His partnership with Morey symbolized the success of the “Moneyball” era, where data-driven decision-making and star power merged to make the Rockets a formidable force in the Western Conference. Despite not winning an NBA title, the impact of Harden on the Rockets cannot be overstated.

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