James Harden NBA Next Team Odds: Cavs Lead Favorites, Rockets & Timberwolves Also In Play

Former MVPs and scoring champions are supposed to be valuable commodities in the NBA. But despite his accolades, James Harden is set to make history if he is traded before Thursday's deadline. His Next Team odds say there’s a better than 50% chance he is on the move.

The Beard has already tied the record for most times traded for a former MVP with four. If the odds are right and he has a new home post-trade deadline, he’ll become the first former MVP to get traded five times (Thunder to Rockets, Rockets to Nets, Nets to 76ers, and 76ers to Clippers).

(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

James Harden Next Team Odds Heavily Favor One Team

Here are the latest Next Team odds available at DraftKings for James Harden (as of February 3):

Next Regular Season Minute Played After Trade Deadline (2/5/2026) to be for Which NBA Team? [2025-26 only]

• Cleveland Cavaliers -155
• Los Angeles Clippers +400
• Houston Rockets +500
• Minnesota Timberwolves +600
• Charlotte Hornets +1600
• Atlanta Hawks +1800
• Portland Trail Blazers +2200
• Orlando Magic +2200
• Memphis Grizzlies +2200
• Toronto Raptors +4000
• *Complete list available at DraftKings

According to the odds, the Cavaliers have a 60.78% chance of acquiring James Harden. Seems like a good bet, right? Not that it’s a bad one, but it would take a $155 wager to win $100. If the rumor mill is any indication, it's an easy way to win $100.

But the rumor mill is made up of nothing but — well,  rumors and not verifiable facts. There is still almost a 40% chance he goes somewhere else.

Staying put with the Clippers remains in play

As for where, there is a 20% chance he doesn’t go anywhere. Harden’s name was a late addition to the rumor mill. Given the size of his contract (2-year, $82 million), age (37), and injury history, the Clippers may have trouble finding a suitor willing to make an offer they can feel good about accepting.

With that in mind, it would not be shocking to see him stay in Los Angeles.

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James Harden to Cleveland Makes Sense

That statement in itself is reason enough not to put money on Harden going to the Cavs. Since when do pro sports teams do anything that makes sense? But if the rumor is true and the Cavs are working out a deal with the Clippers, it is not hard to understand why this one might happen.

In the 2027 offseason, Donovan Mitchell will be able to test free agency if he so chooses. If the Cavaliers are one-and-done in the playoffs yet again, he may decide enough is enough and it's time he goes elsewhere to try and win an NBA title.

What Harden would mean to the Cavs

They’ll likely have to move Darius Garland in the process, but if doing so can bring in a prolific scoring threat like Harden that can elevate the offense, it could be worth it. There has already been speculation that Harden would turn the Cavaliers into the Eastern Conference Finals favorite.

Of course, getting to the NBA Finals and winning against the Thunder/Rockets/Spurs/Nuggets is another thing (but one accomplishment at a time).

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But What About….?

There has been some talk about James Harden potentially going elsewhere, but there isn’t anything to back it up and make it look like anything other than conjecture. Harden is supposedly intrigued with the Timberwolves, but they’ve shown no interest in acquiring him.

Other chatter has had him going to Atlanta, Toronto, or even back to Houston, but it’s been speculative conversation; nothing substantial. The names of a few other teams have come up (i.e., Suns, Knicks, Bulls, etc.), but there is no reason to think any of them are pursuing a deal for Harden.

It appears to be Cleveland or bust, but with how he’s been playing for the Clippers this season, they may decide to hold onto him after all.