Clippers Snap Skid, But James Harden Trade Chatter Isn’t Going Anywhere
The Clippers finally gave their fans something to cheer about Saturday night, taking care of business against a depleted Lakers squad in a much-needed home win. It wasn’t just a win-it was a breather. After a brutal stretch of losses, L.A. looked more like the team they hoped to be when the season tipped off.
But one win, even against a rival, doesn’t erase the bigger picture. At 7-21, the Clippers are still buried near the bottom of the Western Conference standings, far from the play-in line and even further from the expectations that came with their high-profile roster. And with the trade deadline creeping closer, the noise around this team-especially around James Harden-is only getting louder.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the league is already buzzing about Harden potentially being on the move. One veteran executive reportedly told Stein that his front office expects the former MVP to become part of trade discussions before the February 5 deadline. That’s a notable development, especially considering Harden’s complicated contract situation.
While Harden doesn’t have a full no-trade clause, he does hold veto power over any potential deal. That means the Clippers can’t just ship him off anywhere-they’ll need his sign-off before making a move. It's a wrinkle that adds another layer of complexity to any potential trade talks.
The reality is this: the Clippers are in a tough spot. The Western Conference is stacked, and at 7-21, they’re not just behind-they’re in danger of falling completely out of relevance this season.
That kind of pressure tends to force decisions. Whether that means retooling the roster, making a big move, or even thinking about a longer-term reset, the front office has some serious questions to answer.
As for Harden, he’s shown flashes of comfort playing in his hometown over the last couple of seasons. But he’s also a veteran with a résumé that includes an MVP and multiple deep playoff runs. At this stage in his career, it’s fair to wonder how much patience he has left for a rebuild-or even for a team struggling to stay afloat.
For now, the Clippers have a couple of days to regroup before hosting the Rockets on Tuesday night. But make no mistake: the conversation around this team is far from over. The win over the Lakers might have stopped the bleeding temporarily, but the bigger decisions are still looming-and James Harden is right at the center of it all.