As soon as Powell trades, Harden immediately called the team president: If Bill is bought out, we will sign

August 2 News Today, Clutch Points reporter Tomer Azarly wrote about Harden's contribution to the Clippers in recent years. Among them, Tomer Azarly talked about Harden's role in soliciting Bill.

"Before Powell was traded, the Clippers actually did not urgently need players like Bill, and both sides were not interested. Harden originally planned to continue to form a backcourt partner with Powell. But as soon as the deal came out, Harden immediately called Frank, the president of basketball operations, to express a clear attitude, 'If Bill is bought out, we must sign him'. Harden praised the Clippers' management's creativity and winning spirit on the phone, saying Tyron Lu is the perfect player-type coach, praised the defensive coach Van Gundy and the training team, and promised to help Bill integrate into the system and improve efficiency." Tomer Azarly wrote.

In early July, Powell was sent to the Heat by the Clippers in a tripartite transaction.