Clippers Snap Skid, But James Harden Trade Buzz Still Swirls
The Los Angeles Clippers finally got a much-needed win on Saturday night, taking down the short-handed Lakers in a crosstown showdown. The victory was decisive, a welcome change of pace for a team that had been mired in a brutal losing stretch. But while the win gave the Clippers a reason to exhale-at least for the night-it did little to quiet the noise swirling around the franchise.
Let’s be clear: the Clippers are in a tough spot. At 7-21, they’re buried in the Western Conference standings, sitting well outside even the play-in range. And in a conference as deep and competitive as the West, that’s not a position you want to be in as the calendar inches toward the trade deadline.
That’s why the trade chatter is picking up steam-and James Harden’s name is right in the middle of it.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, at least one veteran executive believes Harden could end up in trade discussions before the league’s February 5 deadline. Even though he doesn’t have a full no-trade clause, Harden does hold veto rights, meaning he has significant say in where he could land if the Clippers decide to shake things up.
That’s a key wrinkle. Harden’s contract gives him leverage, and any potential move would need his approval. So while front offices around the league may be eyeing the former MVP, it’s not as simple as just picking up the phone.
The Clippers’ current record adds fuel to the speculation. Sitting near the bottom of the standings, the front office has to be thinking about its options.
Whether that means moving Harden or another core piece, the idea of retooling isn’t far-fetched. This roster was built to contend-not to scrape the bottom of the West.
As for Harden himself, he’s shown flashes of comfort playing in his hometown over the past couple of seasons. He’s had moments where he looks like the vintage version of himself-crafty, deliberate, and still capable of taking over stretches of a game.
But with his 36th birthday on the horizon, the clock is ticking. If the Clippers aren’t competing, it’s fair to wonder if Harden would prefer to chase a title elsewhere while there’s still time.
For now, the Clippers get a brief breather before they return to action Tuesday night at home against the Houston Rockets. That gives the team a couple of days to regroup-and the rumor mill a couple more days to spin.
The win over the Lakers was a step in the right direction. But with the trade deadline creeping closer and the standings painting a harsh reality, it feels like something bigger could be looming in L.A.