NBA Trade Rumors: 7 Stars who will desperately need a fresh start by the deadline

James Harden, LA Clippers

With Kawhi Leonard slated to miss at least some of the start of the regular season due to injury, there's a very good chance that the LA Clippers get off to a rough start. If that rough start continues into the NBA Trade Deadline season, it's going to be impossible for the Clippers not to think about their future. At this point, there's a scenario in which the Clippers punt on this core and come to the conclusion that it's in their best interest to move on. In that scenario, a trade of James Harden could end up making a ton of sense for both sides.

At this point in his career, Harden doesn't want to be playing for a non-contender. If the Clippers do struggle this season, which is not that far-fetched of an idea, Harden could be a star player in need of a fresh start by the NBA Trade Deadline.

Harden can still play a valuable role for a contender. The hope was that it would happen alongside Kawhi Leonard and Paul George in LA. With PG gone and Kawhi injured, there may not be much value in keeping Harden.