Clippers’ Fallout: Time to Trade James Harden?

Merlin sees the Clippers in full unravel: Los Angeles is 5-16 and, after a Monday loss, sits among teams that almost never recover — only 7 of 176 similar starts made the playoffs. The smart shock to the system on the table is trading James Harden; Bleacher Report lays out multiple “nuclear” packages sending Harden to Minnesota, Milwaukee, Atlanta, Detroit or Memphis in exchange for younger wings (Jalen Green), playmakers (Trae Young), future picks, or upside guards (Ja Morant, Jaden Ivey). Merlin senses this is less about finding a perfect return and more about choosing a future. A Green or Morant trade buys youth and upside; a Young deal hands the Clippers a foundational playmaker; Milwaukee’s offer preserves long-term draft currency. Cap math, player options and Clippers’ lack of a first-rounder make any move messy — but necessary.