The NBA trade deadline week is here, and activity often ramps up quickly. As the Feb. 5 deadline approaches, teams are making deals and keeping their phones busy. Last year, for example, Luka Doncic was traded unexpectedly to the Los Angeles Lakers.
This week, Giannis Antetokounmpo has been a hot topic, but on Tuesday, news broke about James Harden. Harden has reportedly asked for a trade from the Los Angeles Clippers, who were not planning to move him.
On Wednesday, the Clippers agreed to trade Harden in a major deal, which surprised the team’s front office. Before the trade, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith discussed the situation on “First Take,” emphasizing that trading Harden is a sensible decision.
“It would not be a mistake,” Smith said. “When James Harden wants out, you let him leave. Because he’s shown you what he’s gonna be like when he wants to leave, and you make him stay. We’ve seen it. Okay? And so, you don’t want that problem. When that brother wants out, you get him up out of there.”