While NBA fans had been awaiting the news drop on a potential James Harden trade for weeks, or even months now, there’s a good chance most were asleep when it finally came. The reported trade that will send the 76ers guard to the Clippers was first reported just after 2 a.m. EST by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Understandably, the late-night East Coast fans and the West Coasters still awake were left completely stunned. The late-night "Woj Bomb" is always a possibility, but no one was ready for what transpired after it.
The terms of the deal weren’t reported until roughly 40 minutes later, leaving everyone to anxiously await the details while fighting the urge to sleep.
The reported deal will send Harden, P.J. Tucker and Filip Petrusev to Los Angeles in exchange for Nicolas Batum, Marcus Morris, Robert Covington, KJ Martin, a 2028 unprotected first-round pick, two second-rounders, a pick swap and an additional first-round selection from a third team, per Wojnarowski.
It was later reported that the third team involved and sending a pick to the 76ers is the Thunder, who'll deal a protected 2026 first-rounder to Philadelphia, per Wojnarowski.
It was a massive list of names and picks to be dropped after the initial report, and the reactions from fans certainly didn't disappoint.
Woj really tweeted the James Harden trade with no details and then went to sleep 😭 pic.twitter.com/kTRFn1Pzf7
— RingerNBA (@ringernba) October 31, 2023
“Can you tell us who James Harden was traded for?”
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) October 31, 2023
Woj: pic.twitter.com/qhj35aufjN
Woj: “The Sixers have traded James Harden to the LA Clippers”
— Josh Reynolds (@JoshReynolds24) October 31, 2023
Us: “No way… For who?!”
Woj:
Us: “Hello?”
Woj:
Us: “Woj?”
Woj before he turns his phone off: pic.twitter.com/F0Hn7rXRXW
#NBA fans: “Can you PLEASE tell us who else got dealt in the James Harden trade???”
— Oluwajomiloju (@JomiAdeniran) October 31, 2023
Woj: pic.twitter.com/7S27I23G35
Woj really said ima tell yall the rest in the morning lol
— Eddie Gonzalez (@bansky) October 31, 2023
Woj dropped that without a word on the actual deal who do the Sixers get 😂😂😂
— vic (@CountOnVic) October 31, 2023
Would like the league to fine WOJ for making us wait this long.
— Jon Johnson (@jonjohnsonwip) October 31, 2023
Woj looking at the TL pressing him for details pic.twitter.com/Dc7Y7t6ddR
— Dom2K 🏖🎃 (@Dom_2k) October 31, 2023
ok thanks woj i was about to go to bed but now i cannot do that
— Natasha Dye (@natashadye) October 31, 2023
There was also no shortage of excitement from Clippers fans.
Who’s stopping them pic.twitter.com/RvLec8pMkh
— Rishi (@RishiRockets) October 31, 2023
These 4 are going to be ridiculous pic.twitter.com/VsaF9m7Y4r
— Hood Comedy (@BestHoodComedy) October 31, 2023
clippers just got one of the biggest upgrade in NBA history
— Maxwell Aden (@iammaxwelladen) October 31, 2023
Nobody in Clipper Nation is sleeping tonight
— Ricky Chu (@RikDaddy) October 31, 2023
Clippers fans right now:pic.twitter.com/lHYBCBI7WX
— RotoGrinders (@RotoGrinders) October 31, 2023
PJ Tucker playing with James Harden on a third different team pic.twitter.com/LAwD8nmd2S
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) October 31, 2023
As for 76ers fans? Well, they were ready for the Tyrese Maxey show. There was also plenty of chatter about the idea of an additional trade or two in the near future as well, among other reactions.
Sixers seen Maxey average 30 for a week and said ah we actually good here bet
— Eddie Gonzalez (@bansky) October 31, 2023
Sixers saw Maxey getting buckets and told Harden thank you for your service
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) October 31, 2023
One has to wonder though, how long will Philly keep any of Morris Sr., Batum, Covington, Martin, or the draft picks? Daryl Morey has always hinted that he will flip assets for an impact player to help the Sixers win now.
— Ky Carlin (@Ky_Carlin) October 31, 2023
Robert Covington is back on the #sixers pic.twitter.com/kbiYx8GX6C
— Michael K-B (@therealmikekb) October 31, 2023
Don’t know why people are so focused on RoCo, Batum, & Morris.
— RB (@RBPhillyTake) October 31, 2023
If Morey got off of the Tucker contract & pulled in 2 firsts, 2 seconds, & a pick swap… This is ABSOLUTELY a win.
James Harden had minimal value & the Sixers need draft capital.
#BrotherlyLove #Sixers 🔵🔴
JAMES HARDEN HAS BEEN TRADED TO THE CLIPPERS LET’S GO!!! Thank you Sixers and thank you @dmorey! #BrotherlyLove
— Austin Martin (@Austinrnww) October 31, 2023
Tyrese Maxey has played like a bonafide All-Star through the first week of the season.
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) October 31, 2023
By doing this deal now, Philadelphia is officially handing the keys to its franchise to its young guard to pair with reigning MVP Joel Embiid.
Tyrese Maxey now that James Harden is gone. pic.twitter.com/CPLNyP2J4u
— Colb (@___Colb___) October 31, 2023
Every player in return is 6’6+ gonna give Philly flexibility to match bigger MIL BOS lineups providing Maxey (and Melton) defensive + rebounding relief
— Thiago (@ThiagoPHL) October 31, 2023
Sixers really fill out the roster for one year https://t.co/eP8ob6Y0pD
