The rumors about Clippers and Harden is just rumors at this point. There isn't any official statement regarding the situation from anyone, so we can't really get any valid news, nothing we can provide proof for. So we need to wait until something concrete happens, either the trade may happen, or maybe it is all just a rumor and not real.

I think it should be important to note that we are not going to end up with anything that would benefit anyone neither, I just think that Harden to Clippers would be hard and Clippers may want him for the time being but the longer it takes the more they may reconsider their options. They already have a decent team, and getting someone that constantly had issues so far doesn't feel all that well.

Regarding Joel intentions of joining the US team, here is what Rudy Gobert has to say,


https://twitter.com/FadeawayWorld/status/1710037148408111522

And then the captain of the French Basketball team, Nic Batum,


https://twitter.com/AndrewGreif/status/1710068649514369079

So I guess everyone in the French team is not affected by Joel joining the US instead of them. Nevertheless, for sure this is going to be a very competitive Olympics in Paris as far as for the US and the rest of the world.

I learned Embiid was from Cameroon when Paskal Siakam kicked him and I think that's one of the popular technical fouls that was called in the NBA. Embiid didn't even try to fight him and the commentator said they are both from Cameroon, that is why.
But this is the first time I discovered that he is also French.

Anyway, here is CBS projection of Team USA roster that will be going to Paris Olympics.
Stephen Curry
Kevin Durant
Devin Booker
Bradley Beal
LeBron James
Anthony Davis
Kawhi Leonard
Paul George
Jayson Tatum
Jaylen Brown
Bam Adebayo
Draymond Green
and more...
https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/2024-paris-olympics-projecting-team-usas-12-man-roster-with-joel-embiid-joining-lebron-james-stephen-curry/
Those are the players who committed they will play if asked or it's open. This is going to be a superstar roster that will be difficult to defeat. I don't actually like it because I want the Olympics to be more of a competitive event but I think this will boost other countries will to defeat them. We'll see.

It's been out for a while now, and with this lineup, the USA is the clear favorite to win, like a heavy favorite. But it's not as low as 1.10; the projected odds are -250, which is equivalent to 1.4 in decimal odds. If you want to check out the odds for the other teams, you can go ahead and visit the link below.

https://www.covers.com/basketball/olympic-mens-basketball-odds

With that possible lineup, this odd might be a good catch for those early bettors, though we don't know if this will be finalized
or there are still negotiations and changes in terms of availability of those stars that mentioned.

Though for sure, there are already gamblers who took this one and already place their future bet for this possible Olympic gold medalist.

Let's wait and see if what will be the final lineup, if all those mentioned names will be available and if they will commit to play for team U.S

Yes, if I'm not mistaken, he hold dual citizenship as well. That's why there is a big noise of him wanting to play with US team since he had Cameroonian blood (both his parents are are from Cameroon and he was born there). Then moved to the US to pursue his basketball.

His reasoning though is very simple, his son is American that's why he wanted to play with the US team.

But it's up to US whether they will embrace Joel as a American or not, so we will have to wait and see. And I think there's nothing wrong with his request though.

Rumors of a possible trade of Harden to the Clippers initially sounded illogical as the Clippers already have players like Kawhi, Paul, and Westbrook. So, I don't think Harden is really the player they need. However, as we can see, there are still rumors that the Clippers are interested in him, which means that the Clippers' management might believe Harden could be useful to them in some way.

You can also make that argument for Russell Westbrook, there are huge downside on him but still the Lakers did pick him up and most likely regret their decision because at that time they acquire him, they thought that he can blend well with James and help the Lakers. And finally he was shift to the Clippers and so there are still team that are willing to take him. So the same case for Harden as well, many downside, dramatic, doesn't want to play defense, but I think there could be more teams still wanting to get his service even if he is aging or maybe lost a step or two with the 76ers. So the saga will continue this season until he found a new team and then the cycle of him and Westbrook might be the same.

Harden might be a great passer, but Westbrook can be a good Point Guard as well, if given the chance.

The Clippers are in need of a Point Guard. Kawhi and PG can't be one. Westbrook can be their starting PG since he has been a good Point Guard through out his career. His career only got ruined when he went to the Lakers, but we can't remove the fact that he can make passes Harden can do.

Like you, I don't also think that the Clippers will try, and pursue Harden knowing that they have Russ as their PG already. I'll stick to what I said that no team want's to pursue him, or at least gamble, and get him in exchange for multiple draft picks. Harden will most probably stay with the Sixers for at least the first half of the season while for the Clippers, I would like to see Westbrook redeem himself after what happened to him in the last seasons. I still believe that he can still make those flashy passes like what he's doing back then.