Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden has been a player who has moved around the NBA throughout his long career. His name is, once again, in the mix as the NBA trade deadline is approaching on Thursday.
Harden was out of Monday night’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers due to personal reasons. But the 2018 NBA MVP might be on the sidelines, getting ready to move again to another NBA franchise in just a few days.
How Old Is Clippers Guard James Harden?
Speculation around Harden’s future with the Clippers hit the NBA headlines on Monday night. ESPN NBA Insider Shams Charania indicated that talks were going on involving the 11-time NBA All-Star and the Clippers at this time.
“The Los Angeles Clippers and 11-time All-Star James Harden are working through whether the sides can find a deal by Thursday’s NBA trade deadline, sources tell ESPN,” Charania posted on X. “Both sides are aligned in conversations together and with interested teams.”
The Los Angeles Clippers and 11-time All-Star James Harden are working through whether the sides can find a deal by Thursday’s NBA trade deadline, sources tell ESPN. Both sides are aligned in conversations together and with interested teams. pic.twitter.com/XzvCz0fc4w
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 3, 2026
At this point in his career, Harden is 36. He was a first-round draft choice (No. 3 overall) by the Oklahoma City Thunder back in the 2009 NBA Draft. This season with the Clippers, Harden is averaging 25.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 8.1 assists per game, and shooting 41.9% from the floor.
Harden spent his first three NBA seasons with the Thunder before a major trade sent him to the Houston Rockets, along with Center Cole Aldrich and forwards Daequan Cook and Lazar Hayward.
In return, Oklahoma City received guard Kevin Martin and Jeremy Lamb, two first-round selections, and a second-round pick. Harden won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award while he was with Oklahoma City.
Then, Harden spent eight-plus seasons with the Rockets before he was part of a massive four-team trade in January 2021 that sent him to the Brooklyn Nets. The Nets sent guard Caris LeVert and three first-round picks to the Rockets, then the Rockets sent LeVert to the Indiana Pacers for Victor Oladipo. The Cleveland Cavaliers were also involved in the deal.
Harden only played 80 games with the Nets before he was involved in another trade, this time with the 76ers. The Nets sent Harden and Paul Millsap to Philadelphia in exchange for Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond, a 2022 first-round pick, and a 2027 first-round pick.
But Harden played only 79 games with the 76ers before being traded to the Clippers. In yet another blockbuster trade involving Harden, he was sent to the West Coast.
Other players sent from the Clippers to the 76ers included P.J. Tucker and Filip Petrusev. The Clippers sent Marcus Morris, Robert Covington, Nic Batum, KJ Martin, a 2028 unprotected first-round pick, two second-round picks, a 2029 pick swap, and an additional first-round pick from the Thunder.
Now, with all of his trade history in the NBA, could Harden, once again, be a part of a blockbuster trade by Thursday? NBA fans will be watching the situation closely.
