There is significant difficulty in trading for James Harden in the middle of a season. Right away, he will change the team’s DNA, as he plays a one-man offense. This suggests that a trade request at the 2026 deadline could work against his favor, as the LA Clippers may comply with Harden’s wishes, but the partner needed to fulfill them will be vacant.
Ultimately, weeks of preparation are needed with Harden on-site. The Clippers spontaneously acquired Harden in 2023, explaining why everyone in the organization was in an intense struggle mode before the Christmas season arrived.
Nonetheless, Harden appears to be inching closer to demanding a way out of the 5-15 Clippers. But, with his own game contradicting his desires, the former MVP will be stuck in a corner until he has control over the situation in the summer.
James Harden's only temporary option will be to remain with the Clippers
In the 2026 offseason, the LA Clippers agreed to a two-year contract with a player-option, giving James Harden the privilege to decide where he would like to go. He may seek a partially guaranteed, or better yet, fully guaranteed, $40-plus million offer elsewhere, but to obtain it, the former MVP cannot wave the white flag on the Clippers this season.
If he does request a trade and is moved, there is a chance the repetition in isolation he brings will drown his employer’s odds of winning. Nobody in the league is on standby, already equipped to succeed with his 31.9% usage rate in a system that is already established around different players.
Thus, Harden and his agent will inevitably consider the long-term outlook before meeting with Lawrence Frank and Steve Ballmer on a decision that will drastically affect the Clippers’ franchise.
Rather, Harden should meet with Frank and Ballmer on a unique approach. He should simply express his concern and ask that the Clippers shuffle the roster left to right at the trade deadline. This would also be an opportunity for him to give his word to the Clippers’ executives that he will remain committed to demonstrating full effort on a nightly basis.
That said, the Clippers are in a nightmare that has Harden trapped right in the middle. The way he plays has earned him hundreds of millions, yet in a distinct situation like the one he is in, the same reason is why his 17th season will likely go to waste.