This situation, as many deadline discussions do, is all about the money. As The Stein Line's Marc Stein and Jake Fischer reported, Harden wants a longer commitment than the two-year, $82 million pact he inked with the Clippers last offseason. L.A., meanwhile, wants to keep the coffers clean for the potentially stacked 2027 free agent class.

After an NBA game, it’s quite normal to see players receive criticism from fans on social media. It’s just the nature of the sport.