NBA Rumors: Will James Harden leave the Clippers before the Trade Deadline?

James Harden once again finds himself at the center of the NBA trade market debate as the approaching Trade Deadline on February 5th looms. The Los Angeles Clippers point guard, a former league MVP, is having a season that few anticipated at this stage of his career and his name has resurfaced in discussions about potential moves, although the likely scenario points to his continuation in California.

In the 2025-26 season, Harden is averaging 25.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 8.0 assists per game, with a 36.3% three-point shooting accuracy. These numbers place him in a very exclusive group of players capable of achieving a 25/4/8 statistical line, being the oldest among them by a significant margin. His performance has been consistent, demonstrating a remarkable ability to bear the offensive load for the team.

This level of production has had a direct impact on his market value. Harden is entering the final stretch of his contract with a player option for the 2026-27 season, effectively positioning him close to an expiring contract scenario. In contexts of reconstruction or roster adjustments, these contractual situations typically attract interest from other franchises.

However, several factors seriously complicate any possibility of a trade. Harden holds a no-trade clause stemming from his Bird rights, granting him full control over his immediate future. Additionally, based on available information, the player himself does not envision a departure from Los Angeles, despite the Clippers' unfavorable record of 13-23. The franchise shares a similar stance, showing no intention to put him on the market.

James Harden's Future

Thus, everything indicates that James Harden will continue to wear the Clippers jersey at least until the end of the season. Nevertheless, his performance so far this season has further solidified his status within the league, and in a hypothetical scenario of a change in plans, it would leave open the possibility for his contractual situation and level of play to generate real interest before the market closes.

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