Absolutely. I was just being snarky about Morey. It’s this fine line where the Clips are already an older team and even though Mann is fake young (he just turned 27), trading one of their only under-30 rotation players to get older is probably counter-productive for them.

Personally, I think trading an additional draft pick that is going to be for some current middle-schooler is probably worth it to get Harden and keep Mann specifically because they are going to need his defense. Not that he’s a GREAT defender or anything, but Mann is probably the best option at power forward on the Clippers as currently constructed. That’s a dude playing out of position who’s going to be the starting PF for them.

Clips looked old last year. Can’t keep trading away guys in their 20s for guys in their 30s. It’s not sustainable.

But basically, neither side has much additional leverage to use unless Harden changes his stance one way or the other. Clips probably already feel like they’ve been raked over the coals by Presti’s package for PG13, and they’ll be damned if they’re going to empty the draft cabinet again for a 1-year rental who has basically incentivized every other team in the league to stay far away from him.

Harden has probably done more harm to getting this deal done than anyone. Though I do still think Morris (Philly born) & Norm (streaky, but definitely a bucket when he’s on), while not James Harden talent, are viable pieces to keep the 6ers in contention.

Morris was over exposed because Ty Lue played him an ungodly number of minutes. You have him as like 9 or 10 off the bench, he could probably get you some good outside shooting and he could be a sort of goon/hard fouling enforcer. If he’s playing more than 10-12 minutes though, that’s bad.

Norm can score. He’s rough on defense, but Harden’s defensive capabilities are up and down at best. I would imagine they will be way down if he’s going the sabotage route. Norm also gets a bit of tunnel vision and isn’t a great passer like Harden. Still, a microwave bench scorer is nothing to sneeze at. Plus you hand the reins over to Maxey with the starters.

That seems a much better prospective 23-24 season than a sulking Harden. I am a bit biased though.

As a Clippers fan, I’m skeptical that Harden will be the solution, and if they give up Mann in the deal, I’m pessimistic the fit would work out at all.