LOS ANGELES — There are few constants in life: Death, change, taxes and apparently a prompt James Harden trade after he asks out. This is the fourth time in six seasons that James Harden has requested an in-season trade and then gotten the exit he desires, this time it’s the Clippers. The Cleveland Cavaliers acquired him from Los Angeles in exchange for Darius Garland and a 2026 second-round pick. Compared to his previous departures, this was an amicable split for all parties involved. As we explore his other exits, we will learn that this often is not the case.
Ranking Every James Harden Exit After He Leaves The Clippers ‘Hanging’
Trade from Oklahoma City to Houston
Harden’s first NBA exit came in 2012, when the Thunder traded him to Houston after failing to reach a contract extension. Oklahoma City prioritized financial flexibility and chose not to commit long-term money to a young sixth man — a decision that quickly became one of the most infamous in NBA history.
Harden did not demand this trade, nor did he create friction. Instead, he was moved as part of a business decision that ultimately launched him into superstardom.
Why it’s No. 5:
It shaped his career but wasn’t contentious and wasn’t initiated by Harden.
Asking Out While the Clippers Were Winning
Harden joined the Clippers in October 2023 and helped stabilize a roster built around Kawhi Leonard and Paul George initially. His playmaking boosted their offense, and the team went through a strong stretch. This season, after a horrendous 6-21 start, they won 16 of 20 games over a two-month span.
Despite that recent success, Harden requested a trade after contract extension talks stalled. The timing raised eyebrows. The Clippers were competitive, but Harden once again prioritized long-term security over short-term momentum.
This exit led to his trade to Cleveland, marking yet another midseason departure.
Why it’s No. 4:
It lacked the public drama of his Houston or Philadelphia exits, but the timing makes it jarring.
Brooklyn Nets: A Championship Dream That Collapsed
Harden arrived in Brooklyn in January 2021 to form a superteam with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. On paper, the trio looked unstoppable. In reality, injuries, absences, and instability derailed the experiment.
Durant missed significant time with injury. Kyrie’s availability became inconsistent due to vaccination protocols. The three stars played just 16 games together (13-3 record), and the Nets were eliminated in the 2021 playoffs despite Harden playing through injury. By the 2021–22 season, Harden grew increasingly frustrated with the lack of continuity, unclear leadership structure, and uncertainty around Kyrie’s status.
Rather than recommit long-term, Harden quietly pushed for another exit. In February 2022, Brooklyn traded him to Philadelphia in a deal centered around Ben Simmons, effectively ending one of the most hyped superteam experiments in modern NBA history after barely one full season.
Why it’s No. 3:
Although not explosive publicly, Harden’s Nets exit symbolized the failure of one of the most anticipated superteams in league history — a trio that never came close to fulfilling its championship promise.
Forcing His Way Out of Houston (Rockets to Nets)
Harden’s Houston exit ended a nine-year run in which he became one of the franchise’s greatest players and an MVP. By the 2020 offseason, Harden was openly frustrated with the Rockets’ direction after multiple playoff failures and roster turnover.
While Harden never said he wore a “fat suit,” fans and onlookers speculated about his conditioning early in the season, fueling the narrative that he was disengaged. Whether fair or not, the optics added pressure on Houston’s front office to act.
In January 2021, the Rockets traded Harden in a blockbuster four-team deal that sent him to Brooklyn. The move reshaped the league overnight and marked Harden’s first self-directed exit.
Why it’s No. 2:
This was the first time Harden forced a trade and did so in a way that publicly strained a franchise-defining relationship.
Publicly Calling Daryl Morey a “Liar” (Philadelphia 76ers)
Harden’s most infamous exit came in the summer of 2023 during his standoff with the 76ers. After opting into his contract and immediately requesting a trade, Harden escalated matters publicly during a promotional event in China, saying:
“Daryl Morey is a liar and I will never be a part of an organization that he’s a part of.”
The comment marked a complete breakdown in trust between Harden and the Sixers’ front office. He skipped training camp, remained away from the team for weeks, and was eventually traded to the Clippers. This wasn’t just a trade request — it was a global, public denunciation of an executive he once trusted.
After Harden’s departure from the 76ers, reports emerged that his relationship with Joel Embiid deteriorated to the point where they no longer communicated, underscoring how damaging the breakup was to locker-room chemistry.
Why it’s No. 1:
No Harden exit was louder, more personal, or more damaging to relationships.
Timeline of James Harden’s Trade Requests and Exits
- 2012: Traded from Oklahoma City to Rockets after extension talks stall.
- 2020–21: Requests trade from Houston amid dissatisfaction with team direction; traded to Brooklyn in January 2021.
- 2021–22: Frustrated by instability in Brooklyn and lack of championship progress; traded to Philadelphia in February 2022.
- 2023: Requests trade from Philadelphia after contract disputes; publicly calls Daryl Morey a liar; traded to Los Angeles in October 2023.
- 2025–26: Requests trade from the Clippers after extension talks fail; traded to Cleveland midseason.
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