James Harden’s newest split with a franchise follows a different script, leaving the surging Los Angeles Clippers searching for their next move
SLUG: james-harden-breakup-clippers-next-steps
CONTENT:
James Harden’s latest parting of ways is “not like the others,” the New York Post reported on Feb. 4, 2026, noting that the Los Angeles Clippers now face immediate decisions as the NBA trade deadline approaches.
The report points out that, unlike Harden’s previous exits in Houston, Brooklyn and Philadelphia, this separation comes while the Clippers are gaining momentum in the Western Conference standings. With the team described as “surging,” the front office must quickly determine how to maintain that progress without the former league MVP.
One scenario cited in the same Post coverage involves a potential deadline swap that would send Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers for guard Darius Garland. No agreement has been finalized, but the mention underscores the urgency surrounding the Clippers’ next steps.
Harden, 36, arrived in Los Angeles via a blockbuster trade in October 2024. His short tenure featured flashes of his trademark playmaking but also persistent questions about long-term fit alongside Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.
The NBA trade deadline falls later this week, giving the Clippers limited time to reshape the roster and preserve their upward trajectory in the West.
Source: New York Post
