Last night, during the middle of the Clippers’ game against the 76ers, Shams Charania reported that the Clippers and James Harden are working toward finding a trade ahead of Thursday’s deadline, with the Cleveland Cavaliers among the teams expressing serious interest. The news came as a shock to many, as Harden had not been widely viewed as a trade candidate. Harden did not play in Monday’s game, with Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue stating he was away from the team for personal reasons and offering no further details.

The Clippers currently sit at 23–26, but they’ve quietly won 10 of their last 13 games. Given that surge and the fact that Kawhi Leonard is once again playing like prime “The Klaw,” it’s hard to imagine owner Steve Ballmer waving the white flag. Ballmer has historically been aggressive in pursuing wins, and it’s unlikely he would punt a season with a healthy, dominant Kawhi. To me, this suggests this situation may be more about Harden wanting out than the Clippers wanting to sell. Harden has been a known head case throughout his career.

Reports indicated the Cavaliers were willing to explore a framework involving James Harden and Darius Garland, potentially with draft picks included. However, the Clippers declined that proposal, citing that the draft picks additionally were too much.

FanDuel’s odds suggest this potential trade benefits only one side. A $100 futures bet placed on the Cavaliers a week ago is now valued at $153, while the same bet on the Clippers has dropped to just $60.

When asked about the rumors, Coach Lue refused to comment, saying, “I can’t comment on rumors. Sorry.” Kawhi Leonard echoed that sentiment but offered support for his teammate, adding, “I have no comment on it. I respect his decision, or whoever’s decision it is. That’s it. He’s still gonna be my boy. Trust the front office.” With the deadline approaching, all signs point to a situation worth monitoring closely, one that could significantly reshape both franchises.

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