Kawhi Leonard James Harden
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INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 04: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers reacts to his three pointer in front of James Harden #1 during a 131-105 win over the Atlanta Hawks at Intuit Dome on January 04, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) USER IS NOT PERMITTED TO DOWNLOAD OR USE IMAGE WITHOUT PRIOR APPROVAL.NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Clippers continue to lose games and fall further away from the playoff race. However, the team has made a stance to not actively trade their best players any time soon. A combination of their 2026 draft pick going to the Oklahoma City Thunder and their players being older means they must compete this season with hopes of sneaking into a late playoff spot.
Longtime NBA insider Marc Stein reveals that James Harden is the one name most teams have interest in acquiring from the Clippers:
“One well-placed Western Conference observer shared this week that James Harden’s status going forward is being monitored closely by various teams given his career goals at age 36 and the Clippers’ dim prospects for digging out of their current hole.”
The previous report of the Clippers not wanting to trade Harden, Kawhi Leonard, and Ivica Zubac makes it less exciting in the short-term. However, more losing means that the Clippers may have to change their stance if they haven’t made progress by the trade deadline. Harden is the name they can get some future assets for in a deal with the right team.
Why Teams Want Harden From Clippers
Harden has shown he’s still able to play at the highest level by having another All-Star caliber season. The early weeks without Leonard saw Harden putting up video game stats to draw comparisons to the end days of his legendary stint with the Houston Rockets. Harden used to be a top offensive guard and showed flashes of it this season.
Various teams across the league currently view the point guard position as their ultimate weakness. The Minnesota Timberwolves, Toronto Raptors, and Rockets are just three playoff teams that have been rumored to desire a new starting point guard. Harden has evolved from a traditional shooting guard to a point guard as a great facilitator.
Most good teams desire having a veteran at the point guard position, if the other positions are stronger with youth and athleticism. Harden could be the missing piece for many franchises and give himself a greater chance at his first NBA Championship.
What Clippers Could Get For Harden
Houston trading injured point guard Fred VanVleet’s contract and a young asset could give them a better chance at contending for a title with Harden returning. The Rockets are in a unique position to have multiple young players that are deemed expendable now to have the Harden reunion make logical sense.
Minnesota and Toronto would have to part way with a relevant player to their current success based on the contracts. Both teams would likely have to part way with multiple draft picks to tempt the Clippers into sending them Harden at the deadline.
Other teams could easily join the fray since the list of franchises with high hopes is larger this season. The Clippers not owning their own first-round draft pick this season could see them prioritizing a pick in the 2026 Draft or multiple picks for the future. A young player is pivotal since most of the roster features older players the Clippers can’t build around.