When Tony Jones appeared on The Lowe Post and offered a blunt take on James Harden’s trade value, it sent a ripple through Clippers Nation. According to Jones, the former MVP isn’t worth a first-round pick - and in a twist that raised plenty of eyebrows - he claimed Ivica Zubac currently holds more trade value than Harden on the Clippers’ roster.
That’s a bold stance, and while it might sting for fans hoping for a high return on Harden, it’s not entirely off-base. Zubac, at this point in his career, is arguably the most valuable trade chip the Clippers have - young, productive, and on a manageable contract.
That makes him a front-office dream in today’s NBA economy. But to suggest that Harden can’t fetch a first-round pick?
That’s where the argument starts to break down.
Let’s unpack this.
The Durant Trade Sets the Market
The best way to test Jones’ logic is to look at the most recent blockbuster trade: Kevin Durant to the Phoenix Suns. Durant, like Harden, is in the back half of his career.
He's an all-time great, no doubt, but he’s also dealt with injuries and hasn’t had a deep playoff run in years. Despite that, Brooklyn still got a massive haul for him - including a first-round pick and more.
Now, no one's saying Harden is Durant. Durant’s playoff résumé is heavier, and his game tends to scale better in the postseason.
But the gap between them isn’t so wide that one draws a haul and the other gets dismissed entirely. Harden is still producing at an elite level - averaging 26.0 points, 8.1 assists, and 5.1 rebounds with strong efficiency.
That’s not just good; that’s All-NBA caliber production.
And it’s not just empty numbers. He recently went toe-to-toe with Durant, dropping 29 points and six assists on 50% shooting in a statement win over the Rockets at the Intuit Dome. That kind of performance doesn’t come from a player with no trade value.
Zubac: The Clippers’ Most Protected Asset
Let’s circle back to Zubac. Jones isn’t wrong in saying Zubac is the Clippers’ most valuable trade piece.
He’s a steady presence in the paint, a strong rebounder, and a rim protector who doesn’t need the ball to impact the game. For a team looking to shore up its frontcourt, he’s a plug-and-play option with upside.
Lawrence Frank and the Clippers’ front office know this. Zubac is the kind of player you keep unless the return is too good to pass up - and that’s exactly why he’s likely to be protected in trade talks.
But that doesn’t mean Harden’s value is diminished by comparison. The two serve different roles and appeal to different types of buyers.
Harden Still Has Trade Juice
At 36, Harden isn’t the long-term piece he once was. But for a contender looking to make a real push, he’s exactly the kind of player who can tilt a playoff series. He’s still a master of the pick-and-roll, still a high-level shot creator, and still a guy who can run an offense with surgical precision.
If a team is serious about winning now - not in three years, but this season - Harden is absolutely worth a first-round pick, especially one that’s protected or comes with conditions. That’s just the going rate for All-Star-level production, even if it’s on a shorter timeline.
The Bottom Line
Tony Jones made a compelling point about Zubac’s value, and he’s right to highlight the big man as a key asset in any Clippers trade talks. But dismissing Harden’s worth entirely? That doesn’t hold up under scrutiny - not when he’s still putting up elite numbers and proving he can go bucket-for-bucket with the league’s best.
In today’s NBA, where stars still move the needle and draft picks are currency, Harden isn’t just some aging vet on an expiring deal. He’s a floor general who can win games, lead an offense, and yes - still command a first-round pick in the right deal.
So if the Clippers do decide to move him, they shouldn’t settle. Because even at 36, Harden’s value hasn’t vanished - it just needs the right team to see it.