Clippers, Harden exploring trade, sources say

INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- The LA Clippers and guard James Harden are working through whether the sides can find a deal by Thursday's NBA trade deadline, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania on Monday night.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are one of the teams expressing serious interest in Harden, sources told Charania.

Harden, 36, has veto power over any trade because he's technically under contract for only this season. The second year of the two-year, $81.5 million deal he agreed to this past offseason is a player option, which isn't fully guaranteed.

Harden sat out Sunday's win in Phoenix and Monday's loss at home game to the Philadelphia 76ers for personal reasons, according to the team. Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said before Monday's game that Harden was at his home in Phoenix.

After the game -- a 128-113 loss -- Lue said he couldn't comment on any trade discussions but added that Harden "means a lot" to the franchise. When asked if he hoped Harden would be with the Clippers past the trade deadline, Lue said, "Who wouldn't want to have James Harden?"

Harden has helped lead the Clippers back into contention for a play-in spot after a dismal 6-21 start. Harden recently told ESPN that he felt "blessed" to be playing in his hometown of Los Angeles and was confident the Clippers could "come all the way back" from their poor start to the season.

The Clippers are Harden's fifth team after stints in Oklahoma City, Houston, Brooklyn and Philadelphia. LA acquired Harden from the 76ers in 2023 to pair with superstars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.

George left for Philadelphia as a free agent in the summer of 2024 and was recently suspended 25 games for a violation of the NBA's drug policy.

Harden recently passed Shaquille O'Neal for ninth on the NBA's all-time scoring list.