NBA Rumors: Clippers’ Harden hint, Knicks double-dip with Villanova, Lakers big problem

NBA rumors: Clippers’ James Harden hint

In probably the most shocking development of the NBA offseason to date, James Harden opted into the final year of his contract on Thursday, setting the table for an apparent trade request. Harden, dissatisfied with the Sixers’ lack of enthusiasm to re-sign him, now wants to be moved to the Clippers.

Before the storm, however, there was an ominous cloud on the horizon. The source of that ominous cloud was ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, who early Thursday afternoon dropped a not-so-subtle hint about the Clippers’ looming involvement in the summer’s new biggest trade saga.

Windhorst noted the Clippers’ decision to waive Eric Gordon’s $21 million contract, which came as a surprise to many. The move saved LA over $100 million in taxes on the surface, but Gordon was still a reliable contributor and a potentially fruitful trade chip. The Clippers obviously let him go with advanced knowledge of a potential Harden pursuit.

The Clippers are looking to form another fearsome ‘Big 3′ in the West, pairing a former MVP in James Harden with two of the league’s best wing scorers in Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. That’s a strikingly balanced trio and, health providing, it’s hard not to peg Los Angeles’ hypothetical new team on the same level as Phoenix and Denver in the Western Conference hierarchy.

It’s too early to predict with any certainty, but right now the safe bet is for Harden to start next season in a Clippers uniform.