(02-03-2026, 07:46 AM)HoosierDaddyKid Wrote: Harden always seems to wear out his welcome where ever he goes.
I don't think that has happened here.
FWIW I have never been a Harden fan at all. But ...
Harden has really played well this season, at about an All-Star level. But he's 36. And there are still unsettled issues re Kawhi's future. So I think it's a case of him being in demand, and LAC exploring if they can turn him into a younger star since he's getting up there in years, and they may have a rebuild forced on them soon. Harden reportedly loves playing in LA, which might be part of the equation too. EDITED TO ADD - But if he can't get job/contract security in LA, it looks like he isn't enamored of it anymore, so there's that.
Harden has no-trade control, but all he can really control is whether he is traded (he could simply say no) AND if he wants to do so in a way where his Bird rights continue but where he will not be a FA this summer (by exercising his PO before he is traded). If he stays with LAC via whatever scenario, Harden goes into June with a PO which lets him choose if he wants to be a FA in the summer with LAC having Bird rights, or to have another year contract on the books.