The NBA trade deadline is about six weeks away, but that never stops rumors from flowing. No matter how ridiculous they may be. Then, let’s face it: there have been several shocking trades recently. So you never know.
Veteran All-Star Point Guards Will Not Be Moves At The Trade Deadline
Saying that, it is really no surprise that NBA Insider Jake Fischer noted that the Los Angeles Clippers have no interest in trading James Harden. The Clippers have been playing better lately after getting off to the franchise’s worst start in 15 years.
“The Clippers, for the record, continue to message that they don’t want to trade Harden no matter how often rival teams whisper that they are anticipating exactly that between now and February 5,” Fisher said.
Los Angeles takes a season-high three-game winning streak into Sunday’s home contest against Detroit. The Clippers are now 9-21 on the season; more significantly, they are just 2.5 games out of the Western Conference Play-in.
There is more good news. The Clippers have a minus-3.8 scoring margin, which is in line with the other teams fighting for the final Play-in spots. The Clippers have been in seven close games (3 or fewer points), but are just 1-6 in those contests. They also have more home games left than road games and have yet to be whole. Additionally, the Clippers are 7-13 when Kawhi Leonard plays compared to 2-8 in his absence.
Why Won’t The Clippers Trade James Harden?
Speaking of good news, Derrick Jones will be available tomorrow night after being out since November 16 with a sprained MCL, per Shams Charania of ESPN. Jones, one of the few Clippers who defends well, was off to a good start before getting injured.
Bogdan Bogdanovic will miss the Pistons game due to rest. Ivica Zubac remains out with a Grade 2 ankle sprain, while Cam Christie is questionable due to a sprained ankle.
Harden, an LA native, is playing even better than last year, when he was 10th in MVP voting and an All-League third-team selection. The 11-time all-star has scored at least 20 points in 22 of his 28 appearances, while also posting nine double-doubles and two triple-doubles.
Besides Harden being a native Angelino, the Clippers are built to compete now. So, it makes no sense for them to trade their core players right now. Besides, the Clippers probably won’t get anything close to his value right now.
That is not to say they won’t look to move players: Bogdanovic, Brook Lopez, or John Collins, especially if the next few weeks are rough. Now, revisiting a complete overhaul is something the Clippers may look at in the offseason.
Darius Garland Also Won’t Be On The Market
Fisher also said that despite the chatter, Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland isn’t going anywhere.
“I just haven’t heard any credible rumblings about Garland’s availability,” Fisher wrote.
Cleveland (17-16), which was blown out by Houston tonight, does have to do something before the trade deadline. What is still to be determined? Not saying that Garland shouldn’t be moved, but trading the two-time all-star would create more problems than solve at this point in the season. The Cavs should wait until after the offseason, then they will have a clearer picture of what to do with Jarrett Allen, Evan Mobley, Max Strus, De’Andre Hunter, and Garland.
Garland and Donovan Mitchell are not a good fit. He has struggled this season, posting his worst shooting percentage since his rookie season.
Garland missed the first few weeks of the season, but the Cavs are only 7-10 with him in the lineup. He also has the worst-plus-minus rating of the Cavs regulars at -1.6. Similarly, the Cavs outscore opponents by over 3 points per game when he is not on the court.
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