Awesome! Thanks, Harden! The Thunder end up as the biggest winners in the NBA.

It’s well known that Harden has chosen to leave the Clippers, with the probable trade being an exchange for two-time All-Star guard Garland, moving his talent to the Cavaliers who are currently fifth in the Eastern Conference with a 30-21 record.

Cavaliers fans: At last, LeBron might return. (just joking)

Although Harden, now 36, still outperforms Garland, who is 26, the Clippers may need to include several draft picks to convince the Cavaliers’ management, given the decade age difference.

So far this season, Harden averages 25.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 8.1 assists, and 1.3 steals per game, shooting 41.9% from the field and 34.7% from three; Garland averages 18 points, 2.4 rebounds, 6.9 assists, with shooting percentages of 45.1% and 36% respectively.

A Thunder reporter commented: "If the Harden-Garland trade goes through, the biggest winner will be the Thunder.”

Because the Clippers’ 2026 unprotected first-round pick belongs to the Thunder, if the Clippers collapse or tank for the rest of the season, they’ll be essentially helping another team.

In short, the Clippers, who have just gotten back on track, might sink back to the bottom like at the start of the season after losing Harden. The public doubts Garland or anyone else can immediately fill Harden’s role.

Up to now,the Clippers hold a 23-26 record, ranking ninth in the West, 3.5 games ahead of the 11th-place Grizzlies and 6.5 games behind the sixth-place Lakers.

Originally, the Clippers had a good chance to secure a play-in spot, but with Harden’s sudden trade request, internal turmoil likely arose, darkening their clear prospects.

Of course, regardless, the Clippers’ record shouldn’t fall so low as to help the Thunder land this year’s top draft pick.

According to the rules, the three worst teams in the regular season have a 14% chance at the number one pick, while the fourth and fifth worst have 11.5%, and the sixth worst 9%.

This year’s draft features three top prospects: Kansas guard Dalen Peterson, BYU wing AJ Dybantsa, and Duke forward Cameron Boozer.

Based on current records, the teams with a 14% chance at the top pick are the Kings (12-39), Pelicans (13-39), and Pacers (13-37).