James Harden’s playoff flameout in the Clippers’ seven-game loss to Denver might have been the final straw. After a strong regular season where he looked like a perfect second option behind Kawhi Leonard, Harden crumbled when it mattered most: shooting 43.6% from the field throughout the series and dropping a very underwhelming 7 points on 2-8 shooting in Game 7. No doubt, The Beard was one of the most disappointing stars of the NBA Playoffs.
Now, with a $36.3 million player option on the table, both Harden and the Clippers face a critical crossroads this summer. L.A. wants to contend, but they also have to be real about Harden’s aging game and repeated postseason collapses.
A sign-and-trade is the cleanest path forward. It lets the Clippers avoid losing Harden for nothing, gives Harden a chance to get one last big payday, and allows a new team to acquire him while maintaining some roster flexibility.
Harden can still help a contender; his playmaking (9.1 APG in the first round) remains elite, and he’s capable of big scoring nights when his shot is falling. We’ve got three potential landing spots that make real sense. All of them offer Harden a fresh start and give the Clippers assets they can use to stay competitive in the loaded Western Conference.
Toronto Raptors
Proposed Trade Details
Los Angeles Clippers Receive: Immanuel Quickley, Gradey Dick, 2029 First-Round Pick (TOR), 2031 First-Round Pick (TOR)
Toronto Raptors Receive: James Harden
If there’s one thing Masai Ujiri loves, it’s going all-in for a star, and Harden might just be his next gamble. Toronto has already shown they’re serious about retooling by trading for Brandon Ingram, and pairing Harden with Scottie Barnes and Ingram would instantly make them a playoff threat in the East.
Harden’s playmaking (9.1 APG in the playoffs) would be a perfect fit for Barnes’ cutting and Ingram’s mid-range game. And while his postseason demons are real, in the regular season, Harden’s ability to control pace and create offense is still elite.
For the Clippers, this is a pretty ideal haul. Immanuel Quickley is coming off a strong year in Toronto (17.1 PPG, 5.8 APG), and at just 25, he gives L.A. fresh legs and real upside at point guard. Gradey Dick struggled with efficiency in his second year (35.0% 3-PT FG) but averaged 14.4 PPG nonetheless, the kind of movement shooter the Clippers could develop alongside their aging stars.
The two first-round picks give them flexibility to either restock or swing another trade if they decide to lean fully into a retool. This would also let the Clippers get younger without bottoming out. Quickley, Dick, and the picks keep them competitive in the Kawhi timeline, but also future-proof them if those two stars eventually move on.
Miami Heat
Proposed Trade Details
Los Angeles Clippers Receive: Andrew Wiggins, Nikola Jovic, 2029 First-Round Pick (MIA), 2031 First-Round Pick (MIA)
Miami Heat Receive: James Harden
Pat Riley doesn’t wait around; after Miami got knocked out early in 2025 after an ugly Jimmy Butler situation, he’ll be itching for more star power. Harden in Heat culture? It sounds weird at first, but Miami desperately needs a primary playmaker to ease the burden off Tyler Herro.
Harden, even at 35, can give you 20 points and 8-10 assists a night and could help unlock Bam Adebayo’s offense more consistently. And let’s face it, Riley has never been shy about going after big names, even if they come with baggage.
For the Clippers, getting Andrew Wiggins gives them a proven wing defender who, while coming off a midseason trade (18.0 PPG, 4.5 RPG), still has value as a secondary scorer and versatile stopper. Nikola Jovic has shown flashes this season (10.7 PPG, 3.9 RPG), and at 6’10”, with perimeter skills, he’s the kind of developmental piece the Clippers sorely lack.
Add in a first and second-round pick, and this is solid value for a Harden sign-and-trade. Plus, Wiggins fits better next to Kawhi Leonard and Norman Powell defensively, giving L.A. a stronger perimeter defense while shedding Harden’s ball-dominant style.
This is the kind of trade that lets the Clippers stay competitive now while giving them a path to pivot later. And for Harden? South Beach offers sunshine, no state tax, and the chance to play for a contender with a championship pedigree, even if it means adjusting to the infamous Heat conditioning tests.
An Interesting Trade With The Utah Jazz
Proposed Trade Details
Los Angeles Clippers Receive: Collin Sexton, Jordan Clarkson, 2025 First-Round Pick (UTA), 2031 First-Round Pick (UTA)
Utah Jazz Receive: James Harden
This is a wild card, but one that makes sneaky sense. Utah has cap space, picks, and a front office led by Danny Ainge that loves taking big swings. Harden would instantly make the Jazz relevant again in the Western playoff race and give their young core, led by Lauri Markkanen and Isaiah Collier, a floor general.
It’s risky, but Harden’s 38 double-doubles this season prove he still has gas in the tank as a creator. And in Utah, he could play freely without the intense spotlight he faced in L.A., Philly, and Houston.
For the Clippers, Sexton is a bulldog guard coming off a bounce-back year (18.4 PPG, 4.2 APG, 40.6% from deep) and brings youth and speed that this aging Clippers team badly needs. Jordan Clarkson (16.2 PPG) gives them instant offense off the bench or as a spot starter, plus he’s a fan favorite in L.A. from his early Lakers days.
But the real prize is the pair of first-round picks, giving the Clippers the ammo they need for future moves or to replenish their depleted draft cupboard. This trade is also about balance.
Sexton and Clarkson make L.A. deeper and more dynamic, while the picks set them up for the post-Kawhi era. For Utah, they’d be gambling that Harden’s still an All-Star caliber player who can elevate them into homecourt territory in the West.
