James Harden, Kawhi Leonard Trade Value Revealed by NBA Insiders amid Clippers Rumors.

If the Los Angeles Clippers decide to undergo a major roster shakeup, moving stars Kawhi Leonard and James Harden could prove challenging. According to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, speaking on the latest Hoop Collective podcast, “there is not a trade market for Kawhi Leonard around the league, I don't think” (52:45). He added that the situation for Harden is similar. Bontemps’ colleague, Brian Windhorst, suggested that Harden might attract some trade interest, though Bontemps noted that any return would likely offer limited help to the Clippers. This creates a dilemma for Los Angeles, which has struggled with a 10-21 start to the season. Leonard is earning $50 million this season and is owed another $50.3 million for 2026–27. Harden makes $39.2 million and has a $42.3 million player option next year. Luxury tax rules make moving such large contracts difficult, even when the players involved are still considered stars. Additional complications arise due to age and injury history: Leonard is in his mid-30s and has a history of injuries, most recently missing 10 games in November with ankle and foot sprains, while Harden’s performance has declined since his peak with Houston. Statistically, Leonard is averaging 27.5 points per game while shooting 49.5% from the field and 37.5% from three-point range. Harden is contributing 26.3 points and eight assists per game. While both players could boost a playoff contender, neither is likely to generate the kind of draft assets that would significantly accelerate a Clippers rebuild.

Recent Clippers performances suggest that staying the course may be a viable strategy.

The team is on a four-game winning streak, highlighted by a 112–99 victory over the Detroit Pistons, during which Leonard scored 55 points. Los Angeles remains 2.5 games out of the final play-in spot and 9.5 games behind sixth-place Minnesota Timberwolves. Although overtaking the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder seems unlikely, securing a playoff berth remains within reach. Recent results indicate that the opportunity for postseason contention is still open.