Higher ceiling in a best-case scenario, sure. How often did Harden play close to a best-case scenario, especially in the playoffs? How does Bones project? Is depth factored into that? E.g. trading Norm, Morris plus a 1st and a swap for a good 7th-8th man like say, Malcolm Brogdon, as an alternative to the Harden trade? It isn’t. An accurate comparison would be Bones + useful veteran compared to the total picture of Harden, the positives but also all the negative implications, from salary and less depth to selfishness, drama, playoff failures, lack of leadership, excuses and a track-record of wrecking franchises and holding them hostage. It’s NOT worth giving up any useful young player in my opinion because the best-case scenario is as likely as Thanksgiving in June. Without all the off-court stuff and at the same salary with Bones, I could easily agree with you. But that would take ignoring a ton of other stuff that unfortunately really has happened.

Phoenix’s role players/bench are very limited. Clippers feel like the better squad with T-Mann starting, Roco on the bench. Getting a better version of Norm, or making a few flips to get Brogdon would cement the Clippers as better. Brogdon for Morris and Coffey works in the trade machine. Portland gets an expiring contract + Coffey. Could also throw in a pick.

As for Coffey, I’d consider playing him on the 2nd unit next game with T-Mann being out. Would like his size, defense and ability to finish in there with Norm, Bones, Plumlee, Batum. Gotta give Norm/Bones protection. I think Coffey is a good fit for that role so Batum can help defend the paint