Ramona Shelburne
Feb. 2, 2026
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The LA Clippers and guard James Harden are exploring whether a trade can be completed before Thursday’s NBA deadline, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania. The Cleveland Cavaliers have emerged as one of the teams showing serious interest in Harden, according to those sources.
Harden, 36, holds veto power over any move because his contract covers only this season guaranteed. The second year of the two-year, $81.5 million agreement he signed last offseason is a player option and is not fully guaranteed, giving Harden control over whether he moves.
The team said Harden missed Sunday’s win in Phoenix and Monday’s home loss to Philadelphia for personal reasons. Coach Tyronn Lue said prior to Monday’s game that Harden was at his home in Phoenix. After the Clippers fell 128-113, Lue declined to discuss trade negotiations but emphasized Harden’s importance to the franchise, adding that he hoped Harden would remain beyond the deadline. When asked if he wanted Harden to stay, Lue asked rhetorically, ‘Who wouldn’t want to have James Harden?’
Since joining the Clippers, Harden has been a key factor in the club’s recovery from a disastrous 6-21 start, helping push them back into contention for a play-in spot. Harden recently told ESPN he felt ‘blessed’ to be playing in his hometown of Los Angeles and expressed confidence that the team could complete its comeback from the poor start.
Harden is in his fifth NBA stop after previous stints with Oklahoma City, Houston, Brooklyn and Philadelphia. Los Angeles acquired him from the 76ers in 2023 to pair him with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. George departed for Philadelphia in free agency in the summer of 2024 and has since been suspended 25 games for a violation of the league’s drug policy.
Off the court, Harden recently passed Shaquille O’Neal to move into ninth place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.
