Lue makes his feelings clear on star guard James Harden as trade talks heat up.
The Los Angeles Clippers have been one of the best stories in the NBA since December, climbing back from a dismal 6-21 start to become legitimate playoff contenders.
A huge reason for that turnaround has been James Harden, who has carried the load all season and helped the Clippers win 17 of their last 22 games heading into Monday night's matchup with the Philadelphia 76ers.
That's what made Monday's news so shocking.
Ty Lue Makes His Feelings Known
Reports surfaced during the Clippers' 128-113 loss to Philadelphia that Harden and the team are exploring trade options ahead of Thursday's deadline.
Harden missed his second straight game for personal reasons, and head coach Ty Lue confirmed the star guard was at his home in Phoenix.
After the game, Lue couldn't comment on the trade discussions, but he made one thing clear about how much Harden means to the franchise.
"He means a lot. He means a lot to our team. You've seen it the last three years," Lue said. "Who wouldn't want to have James Harden?"
It's a fair question when you look at what Harden has done this season.
The 36-year-old is averaging 25.4 points, 8.1 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game, putting together his best scoring season since his days in Houston.
He's also moved into ninth place on the NBA's all-time scoring list, passing Shaquille O'Neal earlier this season.
What a Trade Could Look Like
The Cleveland Cavaliers have emerged as the frontrunner to land Harden, and the two teams have reportedly had advanced talks centered around a swap of Harden for Darius Garland.
Garland is averaging 18.0 points and 6.9 assists this season but has been limited to just 26 games due to toe injuries.
The Cavaliers sit at 30-21 and are looking to bounce back after going 64-18 last year.
Adding Harden alongside Donovan Mitchell would give them a potent backcourt for a playoff push.
For the Clippers, who fell to 23-26 with Monday's loss, acquiring Garland would mean getting a younger point guard under team control through 2028.
The Minnesota Timberwolves and Atlanta Hawks have also been mentioned as potential destinations, though neither team is expected to pursue Harden seriously at this point.
What Happens Next
Harden has a no-trade clause after signing a two-year, $81.5 million deal this past summer, which means he controls where he goes if a deal gets done.
The trade deadline hits Thursday at noon Pacific time, so things could move quickly.
Even star forward Kawhi Leonard was caught off guard by the news, learning about the reports while still on the court Monday night.
"Of course, that's a surprise, I was playing," Leonard told reporters after the game.
Whether Harden stays or goes, Lue sent a clear statement.
The Clippers value their star guard, and losing him would be a major blow to a team that has fought its way back into playoff contention after one of the worst starts in franchise history.