In news that should come as a surprise to absolutely nobody, James Harden has emerged as a late candidate to be traded by the L.A. Clippers ahead of Thursday's trade deadline.
Jake Fischer putting forward the idea that a split between the franchise and the 36-year-old might be on the cards, before the revealing that a deal is not imminent one way or the other.
Harden waiting out the deadline in Phoenix
Clippers' head coach Tyronn Lue spoke to the media as the Clippers lost to the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday, and he revealed that Harden was actually currently in Phoenix.
Ty Lue says James Harden is home in Phoenix for personal reasons. He doesn’t have any information beyond that.
— Joey Linn (@joeylinn_) February 3, 2026
He cited personal reasons as to the visit to The Valley, and assuming he had business to attend to then we all wish him nothing but the best with whatever it is.
But the fact Phoenix was brought up at all is a timely reminder that, although the Suns likely couldn't trade for Harden even if they wanted to, rumors are going to persist around them regardless.
To be clear, there is zero link between Harden and Phoenix currently outside of the fact that is where he calls home in the offseason.
We also know that owner Mat Ishbia has learned his lesson when it comes to trading for star players who are passed their best.
Their experience with Kevin Durant one that will haunt them for a long time, and Harden has never reached the heights of his former Brooklyn Nets teammate.
Even if the Clippers did pick up the phone and offer them Harden in exchange for Dillon Brooks, Nick Richards and a second round pick for example, the Suns should still stay away.
We've been here before, and it is highly likely he is angling for another extension that the Clippers rightly do not want to give him.
Not to pile on him here either as he is going in the Hall of Fame one day, his postseason flameouts have been well documented.
Contrast that with Brooks, who looks like his sheer will power alone will get the Suns to the playoffs. Even at a reduced rate, it is not worth getting into the Harden business at this stage of his career.
So while he returns to Phoenix for an undisclosed amount of time, and although he is seemingly now available via trade, a house in The Valley is as close as he and Suns should ever get to one another.