Story by
"I think it's overrated" - James Harden shares his thoughts on loyalty in the NBA
- Story by
- "I think it's overrated" - James Harden shares his thoughts on loyalty in the NBA
When it's all said and done, James Harden will have a Hall of Fame-worthy career, but it's undeniable that he'll also go down as one of the most polarizing figures in NBA history.
On one end, Harden is one of the greatest players that the game has ever seen. He's a multiple-time All-Star and All-NBA member, a former league MVP, one of the NBA's 75 greatest, ninth all-time in scoring, and he's still putting up solid numbers in Year 17.
Advertisement
Harden has all the accolades, save for an NBA championship, which leads us to the other end of his legacy: his well-documented playoff struggles. James has never missed the playoffs in his entire career, but he's also never gotten over the hump, and he's had a collection of elimination game stinkers that have earned him the reputation for being a player who doesn't step up when needed.
These postseason shortcomings may also be why Harden has become, all things considered, a journeyman in the NBA. After spending almost a decade with the Houston Rockets , the Beard has jumped from team to team in the last six years or so, and during the February 5 Trade deadline, he was once again on the move. After spending two-and-a-half seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers , James was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Darius Garland .
Regardless of who really initiated the swap, fans will waste no time labeling this another instance of Harden asking to be traded, as happened in his last handful of situations and has also become a knock on his otherwise legendary career. Reputation be damned, however, the Beard isn't pulling back on his thoughts on loyalty in the NBA.
Advertisement
The NBA is a business
Following the Cavaliers' win over the Washington Wizards Wednesday night, Harden was asked why he feels players today move the league more, and the 17-year NBA veteran got candid about his thoughts on being loyal to an NBA team.
"At the end of the day, we all look at it as, it's basketball, and the whole quote-unquote loyalty thing, I think it's overrated. I think this is a business at the end of the day, and it's a lot of money involved, and a lot of decisions that have to be made," he said .
Advertisement
"If a player isn't producing or if you don't see him in the future, or in the front office, some of them have to do a job and want to keep their job, so they feel like gotta do what's best to keep their job, and they trade players or if a guys isn't happy and he wants to be traded to somewhere else, then it's a problem," he added.
Harden's response was a glimpse into what prompted his move from Los Angeles to Cleveland. He reportedly wanted to remain in L.A., but the Clippers weren't keen on giving him an extension and were focused on pivoting towards getting younger.
With both sides wanting different scenarios, they agreed to a trade that would send Harden to a situation where he would get an extension and be able to compete for a title. In contrast, the Clippers got a younger, potential franchise cornerstone in return.
Advertisement
"For me it's always about, I don't lose focus of trying to compete for a championship, and then financially, making sure that my family is taken care of, because I'm very smart and I've sacrificed a lot, financially, which I don't get credit for, it don't get talked about, but I'm fulfilled and I'm happy with it," Harden continued.
"But winning a championship or at least having a chance to, and then financially, me getting paid for being available and playing at the highest level for so long, this is a business at the end of the day, so, I feel like players should ultimately do what's best for them and the front office, what's best for them and their owner and their organization, so it's two sides of a story," he concluded.
Advertisement
Harden's history of asking out
Truth be told, the Clippers scenario was Harden's "cleanest" exit, so to speak. It was an amicable split , with both sides getting what they wanted without any hard feelings. The other times that James left, it wasn't on the best of terms.
When Harden was traded from Oklahoma City to Houston, it was off the Thunder's maiden Finals appearance, and many believed that they would be contenders in the West for years to come. Not wanting to pay the luxury tax, however, OKC didn't want to pay the Beard the max extension, and instead sent him to Texas.
Advertisement
After a nearly decade-long run with Houston that included playoff runs and title contention, Harden felt his time with the Rockets had come to an end and essentially forced his way out, triggering a trade to Brooklyn .
While the Nets had a "Big 3" of Harden, Kevin Durant , and Kyrie Irving , the trio played together only 16 times, and injuries and vaccine mandates ultimately hindered them from winning a title. By the end of his time in Brooklyn, James was on his own, as Kevin and Kyrie were sidelined way too often.
Harden forced a trade from Brooklyn to Philadelphia , where he teamed up with Joel Embiid . The two were an effective duo, and they led the 76ers to two second-round postseason appearances. Behind the scenes, however, James, who took a pay cut in his second year with Philadelphia so that the team could add more pieces, felt he was being lied to, which led to a very public tirade against Sixers General Manager Daryl Morey. He would eventually be traded to Los Angeles.
Advertisement
Whether fans appreciate it or not, it's no secret that Harden has done what he feels is best for himself, and since that's how teams operate as well, there is some sense in the decision-making.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Feb 12, 2026, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
