NBA trade rumors have started to pick up, and Los Angeles Clippers star James Harden is one of the names that have been mentioned. Amid the struggles the Clippers have faced, many believe the team will be sellers. LA has a 7-21 record, and things have not gone well for them since the start of the 2025-26 season.
League insider Marc Stein reported that Harden has been mentioned among some front offices. The veteran star has appeared in 26 games, averaging 25.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 8.2 assists. For a team looking to qualify for the playoffs, the Clippers have underperformed. Trading away a star player who has done a lot to try to improve their record is logical and a respectful gesture.
Stein reported that an anonymous executive believes his name will start to pick up ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline.
“One veteran executive read my recent item about James Harden’s potential availability between now and the Feb. 5 deadline and said his front office, to name at least one, indeed projects the NBA’s last American-born MVP (from the 2017-18 season) to wind up in trade play at some point this winter,” Stein reported.
James Harden could be in play during the trade deadline, per @TheSteinLine.
“One veteran executive read my recent item about James Harden's potential availability between now and the Feb. 5
deadline and said his front office, to name at least one, indeed projects the NBA's last… pic.twitter.com/PA12RmjY2F— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) December 21, 2025
Harden and the Clippers have gone 2-8 in their last 10 games. They look to improve their record and capitalize on their 103-88 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday.
James Harden speaks on one Clippers frustration that ended against the Lakers
After five straight losses, James Harden and the Clippers finally caught a break against the Lakers. The 2018 MVP had 21 points, 10 assists and two steals to help LA win. Following the game, the 11-time All-Star pointed out a frustration for the team that was broken against their rival.
“We’ve been on the other side so many times this year to where we’ve had leads. I think we probably led in every single game we played. Had big leads and then allowed them to just dissolve,” Harden said. “So, to just find a way to win a game… it feels like it’s been forever.”
Harden and the Clippers continued to advance without turning around once they were ahead.
Another challenging opponent waits for LA on Tuesday. They are set to face Harden’s former team, the Houston Rockets.
