ESPN reporter Shams Charania reported Monday night that the Los Angeles Clippers are looking to move on from veteran scoring guard James Harden. With the trade deadline fast approaching on Thursday, the Clippers are looking to make a deal.

It seems like the Cleveland Cavaliers might be a willing partner. After an early postseason flameout a year ago, the Cavs are looking to get better by the deadline.

The 36-year-old Harden has a no-trade clause in his two-year, $81.5 million contract with the Clippers, so he will have some say in getting moved. But sources have told Charania that he is interested in chasing an NBA title, a doesn't think the Clippers can do it.

Los Angeles is 23-26 right now, and hold hold the No. 9 spot in the NBA Western Conference playoff race. That would get them in a play-in game. They are 6.5 games behind the Los Angeles Lakers for the No. 6 seed and a guaranteed spot in the first round. 

They are also just 3.5 games ahead of Memphis just to make a play-in game at all.

Harden sat out Sunday's win in Phoenix and Monday's home loss to the Philadelphia 76ers for personal reasons, according to the team. Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said before Monday's game that Harden was at his home in Phoenix.

After Monday's loss, Lue said he couldn't comment on any trade discussions but added that Harden "means a lot" to the franchise. When asked if he hoped Harden would be with the Clippers past the trade deadline, Lue said, "Who wouldn't want to have James Harden?"

Harden, who is averaging 25.4 points per game, has helped the Clippers get back into the playoff chase after an ugly 6-21 start. The Clippers are Harden's fifth team after stints in Oklahoma City, Houston, Brooklyn and Philadelphia.

He is No. 9 on tne NBA's all-time scoring list.

Here is the list of the top-20 scorers all-time, through Sunday's games. Active players in bold.

1. LeBron James (2003-present) — 42,863
2. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1969-89) — 38,387
3. Karl Malone (1985-2004) — 36,928
4. Kobe Bryant (1996-2016) — 33,643
5. Michael Jordan (1984-2003) — 32,292
6. Kevin Durant (2007-present) — 31,749
7. Dirk Nowitzki (1998-2019) — 31,560
8. Wilt Chamberlain (1959-73) — 31,419
9. James Harden (2009-present) — 28,805
10. Shaquille O'Neal (1992-2011) — 28,596

11. Carmelo Anthony (2003-22) — 28,289
12. Moses Malone (1974-95) — 27,409
13. Elvin Hayes (1968-94) — 27,313
14. Hakeem Olajuwon (1984-2002) — 26,946
15. Russell Westbrook (2008-present) — 26,944
16. Oscar Robertson (1960-74) — 26,710
17. Dominique Wilkins (1982-99) — 26,668
18. Tim Duncan (1997-2016) — 26,496
19. Stephen Curry (2009-present) — 26,447
20. Paul Pierce (1998-2017) — 26,397