LAC is trading their best/most consistent player in Harden, a contract controlled/two way C in Zu, a flexible contract in Bogi (team option), and their backup C all to take on mediocre draft capital (a lottery protected first and swaps), Butler whose career may be done, and Kuminga...
You have them lose their starting C who they value at 1-2 picks, their starting PG who is still an All Star Caliber player, their backup C, all to take on a torn ACL Butler, a neutral value Kuminga, and then mediocre picks?
This trade isn’t about Clippers “rebuilding”. It’s about acknowledging that last year’s fully healthy roster already showed its ceiling. Harden and Zu are valuable, but they are valuable in terms of floor, not championship solutions. This proposal converts part of that floor value into future flexibility without touching Kawhi, not a full teardown. If the Clippers truly believe this core can win a title, then yes, this deal makes no sense. But if last year’s Game 7 loss already answered that question, then continuing to optimize the floor is just delaying the inevitable.
OKC has the right to swap its 2027 1st round pick or, if conveyed to OKC, DEN's 2027 1st round pick protected for selections 1-5 for the LAC' 2027 1st round pick
PHI has the right to swap its 2029 1st round pick for the LAC' 2029 1st round pick protected for selections 1-3 (if this pick falls within its protected range and is therefore not conveyable, then the LAC' commitment to PHI will be lifted)