Any remaining speculation linking James Harden to the Milwaukee Bucks appears to be over, according to Bill Simmons and reported by Zach Lowe. On the latest episode of “The Zach Lowe Show” Lowe noted that a Harden-to-Milwaukee trade is essentially off the table, citing Harden’s tense history with Bucks head coach Doc Rivers.
Lowe explained that he discussed potential Harden trade scenarios with Simmons, centering on Milwaukee as a theoretical landing spot due to the team’s push to capitalize on its championship window with Giannis Antetokounmpo. That possibility, however, was quickly ruled out.
“The only Harden trades that I could even try to come up with, and I pitched this one to Bill and he shot it down right away,” the NBA insider remarked.
“You just have to look at Milwaukee for the sheer desperation of if they’re really trying to buy around Giannis one last time. And I think they are and if they’re not, they’re really bluffing everyone around the league that they are. He’s a name that you have to look at despite the relationship with Doc and James, which apparently did not end well in Philadelphia.”
Doc Rivers and James Harden’s strained relationship
Rivers coached Harden with the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2021–22 and 2022–23 seasons. Their time together ended when Harden pushed for a departure from Philadelphia, following public frustration over contract talks and the team’s direction. Lowe noted that the tensions from that period are still significant enough to rule out a reunion.
“Bill said Doc won’t coach him again and I guess that Doc and Bill are close, so take it for what it’s worth.”
Simmons’ long-standing connection to Rivers adds credibility to the report. The two have stayed close over the years, with Rivers often appearing on Simmons’ platforms during times he was out of coaching. Additionally, Rivers’ daughter, Callie Curry, hosts a podcast within Simmons’ network, further supporting the reliability of the information Lowe shared.
At 36, Harden is still producing at an impressive level despite the challenges faced by the Los Angeles Clippers. He is averaging 25.8 points, marking his highest scoring output since the 2019–20 season, along with 8.2 assists, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game, while shooting 43.3 percent from the field and 37.3 percent from three-point range. The Clippers enter Tuesday’s matchup with the Houston Rockets, who sit at 17-9, holding a 7-21 record themselves.
Meanwhile, the Bucks hold an 11-18 record and is coming off three consecutive losses.
