The Los Angeles Clippers have no plans for a fire sale before the trade deadline and are expected to explore adding an impact player around James Harden and Kawhi Leonard, sources tell The Athletic’s Sam Amick.
Team sources say owner Steve Ballmer continues his mandate to remain competitive despite the team’s 6-21 start. The Clippers have won five straight games, restoring some internal hope of climbing out of their early-season hole.
With no first-round pick in 2026 to encourage tanking, the Clippers are focused on saving their season. Oklahoma City owns LA’s 2026 first-round pick, fueling league-wide speculation that the Clippers would become sellers.
Harden has complete control over his situation with a no-trade clause in his Bird rights contract. He has a player option worth $42.3 million for next season.
Team and league sources say there are no signs Harden wants out. The 36-year-old former MVP and 11-time All-Star is averaging at least 26 points, seven assists and four rebounds, joining only Nikola Jokic, Cade Cunningham, Luka Doncic and Tyrese Maxey in that statistical club.
The Clippers can match star-level salaries with expiring contracts. John Collins ($26.5 million), Bogdan Bogdanovic ($16 million), Brook Lopez ($8.7 million) and Nicolas Batum ($5.6 million) offer flexibility in potential trade packages.
However, there is a significant hurdle to any major deal. The Clippers have prioritized salary cap flexibility starting in the summer of 2027 and are reluctant to take on contracts that extend past that point.
The team continues to receive calls about Ivica Zubac and Derrick Jones Jr., who could be difference-makers for contending teams. The Clippers are 2.5 games out of Play-In position and 9.5 games back of the sixth seed.
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