That began to change late Monday, when after months of discussions with Philadelphia, the Clippers and 76ers began to at last move toward finalizing a trade that would see James Harden land in Los Angeles, according to a person with knowledge of the discussions.

The move was made with obvious championship intentions — the hope of team owner Steve Ballmer and team president Lawrence Frank that Harden’s future Hall of Fame credentials and playmaking would complement Kawhi Leonard and Paul George and can bring the Clippers their long-sought first NBA title. A smooth ending is hardly assured.

In 2021 Harden asked out of Houston, the franchise where he’d blossomed into the 2017-18 league most valuable player. Two seasons ago, he asked out of Brooklyn. In late June he asked out of Philadelphia when a long-term contract offer to his liking never came. The 34-year-old Harden will become an unrestricted free agent in the offseason.

The trade ends a campaign of discomfort waged by Harden against the 76ers since June, when he opted into the final season of his contract, worth $35.6 million, with the demand of being traded and with the Clippers his preferred destination. When talks between the 76ers and interested teams, including the Clippers, fell short of Philadelphia’s stated and steep asking price of either a star to pair with 76ers center Joel Embiid or assets that could held the 76ers eventually acquire such a talent, Harden’s frustration went public.

This is a developing story. The Times will have more soon on Harden joining the Clippers.