DE LA LUZ — Shortly after James Harden and P.J. Tucker entered their new locker room with the Los Angeles Clippers, Russell Westbrook shook hands and gave a hug to his former Houston Rockets colleagues.

As of late Tuesday night in Los Angeles, the planned trade between the Clippers and the Philadelphia 76ers was still pending, but as soon as Harden and Tucker emerged from their SUV at the Crypto.com Arena loading dock, the Clippers welcomed them.

Lawrence Frank, the team president, met and escorted the two players to the Clippers’ locker room. Steve Ballmer, the team owner, approached Harden and Tucker shortly afterward to shake hands.

Although Westbrook and Kawhi Leonard of the Clippers, as well as coach Ty Lue, stated they couldn’t comment on the move before it was official, Westbrook seemed to be in favor of it.

“Right now, James and P.J. off-limits. “Until it’s official, I have nothing to offer you,” Westbrook grinned after Los Angeles defeated the Orlando Magic 118-102 on Tuesday.

Westbrook made it plain when asked if the smile indicates that he is satisfied while saying he cannot discuss the contract.

He said, “Yeah,” several times. “Well, s—, how could I not be? Please pardon my vulgarity, but I’m really, really thrilled.”

Westbrook and Harden reconnected in the locker room before the game. Together, the two were members of the Rockets and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Breaking out from his usual pregame routine, Westbrook joked with Harden that he could stay in the locker room on the opposite side, where Harden’s new locker would be.

Before facing the Magic, Tucker and Harden eventually sat next to Paul George and Westbrook to catch up for more than an hour.

When a reporter asked Harden how enthusiastic he is in the locker room, he said, “You don’t understand.”

Harden also sung “You Dropped a Bomb on Me” by The Gap Band, which was playing in the adjacent trainer’s room, as he made his way through the locker room.

It is anticipated that on Wednesday, the deal will officially close. Nevertheless, Harden and Tucker most likely won’t play against the Los Angeles Lakers that night.

The Clippers will have four days off after the game on Wednesday before starting a three-game road trip on Monday against the New York Knicks. For Harden and Tucker, the Clippers can use those four days as a shortened training camp.