A team that is already luxurious enough to add Durant, a top-level "luxury," is it a crazy adventure or a determined gamble? The Clippers are now facing a problem: the defense is tough, but the offense lacks firepower, especially Leonard's health status has always been like a time bomb, which may explode at any time. If they can pull Durant in, the "Big Three" formed by Harden, Durant, and Leonard will be a seamless dream combination or a paper strength of "mirage"? This question is probably what all NBA fans want to know now.
If Durant really joins the Clippers, it will be the third cooperation in his and Harden's careers. Looking back, when they were in Thunder, one was an emerging MVP, and the other was a super sixth man. They led the team all the way into the finals. Although they finally lost to the Heat's Big Three, that youthful storm is still memorable. Later, during the Nets period, they teamed up again, and the Big Three combination with Irving was originally highly anticipated, but it broke up early due to injuries and internal conflicts, failing to break through even the divisional finals.
Now, if the two can reunite on the Clippers, their tacit understanding is naturally needless to say, after all, they have worked together for so many years. But fans will look forward to their chemical reactions at different stages of life - the "young swordsman" and "hurried guest" of the past have now become two "experienced veterans."
Durant's precise offense and Harden's passing organization, one attack and one pass, are enough to ignite the Clippers' offense. But the problem lies here - in NBA history, there are not a few stories of "old partners meeting again," some are very successful, such as James and Wade's return to glory in the Heat; some are a mess, such as the "Big Three" of the Nets, which ended in an embarrassing "long-standing breakup." Can Durant and Harden do it this time? No one dares to guarantee it.
Before discussing the trade, let's take a look at the Clippers' current account. This team is already one of the highest-paid teams in the league, with top-paid players like Leonard, George, and Harden. Adding Durant would make the salary skyrocket, and the luxury tax would soar to the sky. If there is really an owner willing to bear this economic pressure, it might only be Ballmer - this tech tycoon worth more than tens of billions of dollars never lacks money.
But no matter how rich you are, this is still a gamble. Introducing Durant's high-paying contract will make the Clippers' financial structure completely "smoke," and future operating space will be extremely limited. If the Big Three can really bring a championship trophy, then everyone will be happy; but if the result is not as expected, the Clippers may fall into a huge financial crisis. Ballmer's boldness is not a problem, but whether this "big bet" can win is the key issue.
The rumors of trading Durant have made people pay more attention to the future of the Suns. Recently, the Suns' situation has not been good. Booker's injury has greatly reduced the team's overall combat effectiveness, and Durant's solo leadership also seems powerless. If they are really willing to let go of Durant, it means that the Suns are likely to start rebuilding.
This choice is not difficult to understand. Durant is getting older and older, and his contract is getting more and more expensive. Instead of relying on him to bet on an unpredictable playoff journey, it is better to exchange for some young assets now and rebuild a team with long-term competitiveness. The Suns' management is obviously weighing whether to seize the opportunity at hand or plan for the future. But for Durant, this may also be a "destiny" - leaving one dilemma and entering another unknown.
Leonard's health problem has always been a hidden worry for the Clippers. In the past few seasons, his attendance rate has been frustrating, and occasional absences have become commonplace. If Durant can join, Leonard's pressure will be greatly reduced. He no longer needs to bear so many offensive tasks and can focus more on his own health management. As long as he stays healthy, his defensive value is still unmatched.
In fact, Durant's arrival may make the Clippers' lineup more flexible. Durant's offense is almost flawless. He can open up space, making Leonard and Harden's breakthroughs easier; while Leonard's coverage on the defensive end can save Durant from a lot of "dirty work." Such a complementary combination, once properly integrated, will be one of the toughest lineups in the league.
If Durant really joins the Clippers, it will have a major impact on the entire league's landscape. Traditional Western Conference powerhouses like the Nuggets and Warriors will be hit first, and they must find ways to deal with the threat posed by the Clippers' new Big Three. The rise of such a "super team" often triggers a series of trade waves. For example, when Durant joined the Warriors, other teams adjusted their lineups to respond, and LeBron's move to the Lakers directly prompted the reshuffle of multiple powerhouses in the league.
It can be foreseen that if the Clippers really become Durant's new home, other teams in the league will not sit idly by. They will try to enhance their competitiveness in their own way, whether it is trading core players or tapping young potential. This "one hair moves the whole body" effect will make the competition in the entire NBA more intense.
In summary, this trade is full of uncertainties. Whether Durant, Harden, and Leonard can truly become a new super combination in the NBA depends not only on their talents on paper but also on factors such as injury management and chemistry. There is an old saying in the NBA: having stars doesn't necessarily create a galaxy. Will the Clippers' "big bet" this time be a godsend or a dream? Only time will tell in the future.