OFFICIAL: James Harden to the Cavs and Darius Garland to the Clippers

Los Angeles Clippers and the Cleveland Cavaliers were involved in one of the major moves of the market by agreeing to trade James Harden to Ohio. The deal sends the 36-year-old shooting guard to the Cavaliers in exchange for Darius Garland and a second-round draft pick, as reported by ESPN.

Harden, an eleven-time All-Star, had in practice a veto power over any trade due to the nature of his contract. Over the last few days, he worked with the Los Angeles franchise to find an outcome that satisfied both parties. The result was a "win-now" scenario for the player, who continues to perform at a high level, and a bet for the present and future for the Clippers, who are adding a 26-year-old two-time All-Star point guard.

For Cleveland, with a record of 30-21, Harden's arrival can significantly raise the team's competitive ceiling in the Eastern Conference. The shooting guard joins Donovan Mitchell to form one of the most potent backcourt pairs in the league. Both are among the ten qualified players averaging at least 25 points and five assists this season, and they become the only teammates within that group, according to ESPN Research data.

Contractually, Garland is in the third year of a five-year, $197 million deal. Harden, on the other hand, earns $39.3 million this season and has $13.8 million of the $49.2 million for the next season guaranteed.

The trade comes after a summer in which Harden sought more long-term security in his discussions with the Clippers, following a solid season that earned him a spot on the All-NBA Third Team. However, the franchise chose not to offer him a longer contract extension due to his age and a clear priority to maintain long-term flexibility. Additionally, Kawhi Leonard has only one more year on his contract after the current season.

With negotiations between the Cavaliers and Clippers intensifying over the past week, Harden missed Sunday's game in Phoenix and Monday's game against the Philadelphia 76ers for personal reasons, as announced by the team. Tyronn Lue explained that the player was at his home in Phoenix. Interestingly, both teams face each other this Wednesday at the Intuit Dome, a game for which Garland has already traveled with the Cleveland expedition. The deal will be officially completed once both players pass their medical examinations.

The impact of the move was immediate even off the court. In the last 24 hours, Cleveland's odds to win the NBA title went from 22-1 to 12-1 at DraftKings. After the news was released, the Cavaliers surpassed the Celtics, Spurs, and Pistons in the betting odds, now sharing with the Knicks the third best odds, only behind the Nuggets and Thunder.

Harden had been a key piece in the Clippers' recovery after a very negative start to the season, with a 6-21 record. The team reacted strongly and, since December 20, recorded a 17-4 stretch that allowed them to climb to the ninth spot in the Western Conference. Nevertheless, that poor start led several franchises to inquire about the shooting guard, ultimately leading to the talks with Cleveland before the trade deadline.

The shooting guard thus embarks on the fifth stage of his NBA career, having previously played for Oklahoma City, Houston, Brooklyn, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles. The Clippers acquired him in 2023 from the Sixers to form a trio with Leonard and Paul George, although the latter left the franchise in the summer of 2024 to return to Philadelphia and was recently suspended for 25 games for violating the NBA's anti-drug policy.

Garland's Situation

In Garland's case, his season has been marked by physical issues. He averages 18.0 points and 6.9 assists in 26 games but has not played since January 14 due to two different toe injuries, the latest being a grade 1 sprain on his right big toe. Despite this, his journey in Cleveland has been pivotal for the team's reconstruction after LeBron James' departure to Los Angeles in 2019. Drafted that year, the point guard became a two-time All-Star, though recent injuries and playoff disappointments led the franchise to decide to trade him.

His best season came in 2024-25 when he averaged 20.6 points and 6.7 assists per game with a 40% three-point shooting, earning an All-Star selection and leading the Cavaliers to 64 victories and the league's best offense. Now, his departure marks the conclusion of an era in Cleveland and opens a new chapter for both franchises.

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