James Harden denies requesting Clippers trade

Feb 4, 2026 4:32 PM

James Harden spoke with ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne following his trade Tuesday from the Los Angeles Clippers to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Harden denied asking for a trade but said his departure helps the Clippers move forward into a new phase.

The point guard said he didn’t want to feel like he was “holding the Clippers up in their future.”

“I wanted them to actually have a chance to rebuild and get some draft capital,” Harden said.

He added that Cleveland presents a real opportunity to contend, saying, “I see an opportunity to win in the East – they got a very good team, coaching staff, all of the above. So as much as I wanted to stay in L.A. and give it a go, I’ve never won one before. As a basketball mind, I think we have a bit better chance.”

Harden strongly denied requesting a trade, despite having done so in past stops with Houston, Brooklyn, and Philadelphia.

“That wasn’t the case at all,” he said. “When things don’t work out, there are ways to end things in relationships without having to crack each other … Maybe we just outgrew each other. Whatever the case may be. I feel like our situations weren’t like that.”

Harden sat out games Sunday and Monday before the deal and told ESPN he spent an emotional Tuesday at the Clippers’ facility knowing a trade was imminent.

“We had a hell of a 2½ years,” Harden said. “We didn’t reach the goals that we all wanted, but we built some great memories. At the end of the day it is a business … I’m excited about Cleveland. I’m still trying to chase my first championship and do whatever it takes to win.”