NBA Rumors: Clippers, James Harden, Kings, Zach LaVine, Pacers

Clippers

James Harden is a name to keep an eye on.

Multiple teams are monitoring the Clippers guard, a source tells Marc Stein of The Stein Line, and it’s not hard to see why. The Clippers have underwhelmed, Harden is 36, and his contract includes a partially guaranteed player option for 2026/27.

If Los Angeles decides to pivot, Harden would instantly become one of the more intriguing playmaking options on the market. Stein notes that Minnesota is among the teams actively searching for a true table-setter, making the Wolves one potential team to watch if the Clippers open the door.

At the moment, nothing appears imminent, but the interest is real.

Kings

If there’s one team league executives expect to be busy ahead of the trade deadline, Sacramento keeps coming up first.

“Active is the word I would use to describe them,” one executive told Stein.

Very few players are considered untouchable. According to Stein, fourth-year forward Keegan Murray and rookie Nique Clifford are the closest things to it. Almost everyone else is available to some degree.

That includes veterans Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan, who the Kings have “certainly” made available in trade talks.

What Sacramento is not willing to do, however, is attach draft assets or include highly regarded guard Keon Ellis simply to move salary. 

Pacers

Indiana continues to show interest in Jazz center Walker Kessler, Stein wrote, echoing earlier reporting from Grant Afseth.

That said, Stein adds that Utah has given no indication it plans to move Kessler ahead of his upcoming restricted free agency.

In other words, the Pacers can inquire all they want, but the Jazz appear content holding their ground for now.