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According to a late-night report from ESPN’s Shams Charania, Los Angeles Clippers All-Star James Harden and the team are trying to find a deal by Thursday’s trade deadline.
Harden sat out Sunday’s win against the Phoenix Suns and the loss against the Philadelphia 76ers, citing personal reasons, and the team said that he was at home.
Amid his absence, Charania delivered the news that Harden wants to be traded, with the Cleveland Cavaliers right in the thick of the trade talks.
“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,” ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne wrote.
“The Cleveland Cavaliers are one of the teams expressing serious interest in Harden, sources told Charania.”
The Clippers have gotten to a hot run in the middle of the season after a poor start, looking like a playoff contender once again. A Harden trade could stop the momentum, but also give the team new life with a fresh core.
Why is James Harden requesting a trade?
Harden is reportedly uneasy about his contract status.
He is in the final year of his two-year, $81.5 million deal with the Clippers, and talks about a new deal have not progressed, with the franchise wanting to maintain flexibility in terms of cap space long term.