James Harden Sees Loyalty as 'Overrated' After Fifth Career Trade

The NBA star opens up about his frequent team changes and the business side of the league.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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In the last six years, James Harden has been traded five times, most recently from the Clippers to the Cavaliers ahead of the 2026 trade deadline. Harden, who won MVP with the Rockets in 2018, believes loyalty between players and teams is "overrated" in the modern NBA, where the business side often takes priority over personal relationships.

Why it matters

Harden's comments highlight the evolving dynamics in the NBA, where star players increasingly view themselves as free agents and are willing to force trades to new teams in pursuit of championships and lucrative contracts. This trend raises questions about the role of loyalty in professional sports and the power balance between players and team management.

The details

Harden, a 11-time All-Star, has played for the Rockets, Nets, 76ers, Clippers, and now the Cavaliers over the past six seasons. He believes players should prioritize their own interests, including winning championships and securing financial stability for their families, over loyalty to any one franchise. Harden acknowledged that team executives also have to make difficult decisions to protect their own jobs, even if that means trading away star players.

  • In the 2020-21 season, Harden forced a trade from the Rockets to the Nets.
  • After 80 games with the Nets across two seasons, Harden was traded to the 76ers ahead of the 2022 trade deadline.
  • Harden's stint in Philadelphia lasted 79 games before he was traded to the Clippers on the eve of the 2023-24 season.
  • Ahead of the 2026 trade deadline, Harden was traded from the Clippers to the Cavaliers.

The players

James Harden

A 11-time NBA All-Star and the 2018 NBA MVP, Harden has been traded five times in the last six years, most recently from the Clippers to the Cavaliers.

Daryl Morey

The president of basketball operations for the 76ers, who traded for Harden in 2022 before the two had a public falling out.

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What they’re saying

“The whole quote-unquote loyalty thing is—I think it's overrated. 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.”

— James Harden, NBA Player (ketk.com)

“For me, it's always about—I don't lose focus of trying to compete for a championship and then financially, making sure my family is taken care of. … But like winning a championship or at least having a chance to, and then financially getting paid for me being available and playing at the highest level for so long.”

— James Harden, NBA Player (ketk.com)

What’s next

Harden and the Cavaliers will return to action on Thursday, Feb. 19 against his former team, the Nets. Their next big test comes on Feb. 22, with a trip to face the reigning NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder, Harden's first NBA team.

The takeaway

Harden's comments reflect the evolving priorities of modern NBA superstars, who are increasingly willing to prioritize their own interests over loyalty to a single franchise. This trend raises questions about the role of team-player relationships in professional sports and the power dynamics between players and team management.