Clip Present Finale: James Harden Traded to Cavaliers (Report)

James Harden’s newest commerce deadline switch has him transferring to the Cleveland Cavaliers in alternate for Darius Garland in All-Star swap.

With commerce deadline season in full swing, depart a pen and bodily out for James Harden.

Per Shams Charania of ESPN, Harden has as soon as once more been dealt on the deadline, as the previous Los Angeles Clipper is reportedly being despatched to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a “prolific swap” for fellow backcourt risk Darius Garland.

Harden’s newest transfer marks the fourth time he has been traded within the midst of an NBA season. His newest request was seen as very shocking contemplating the Clippers’ swift restoration from a 6-21 begin. Harden has been a significant component behind the Clippers’ latest resurgence, as he is averaging 25.4 factors (his finest since main the league in 2019-20) and eight.1 assists.

Insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line lately reported the 36-year-old Harden was looking for a bigger dedication past the two-year, $81.5 million deal he signed with the Clippers (23-26) final summer season. Harden has a $42.3 million participant possibility for subsequent yr. 

Shifting to Cleveland will possible grant Harden a greater likelihood to chase an elusive first championship, because the Clippers are nonetheless 6.5 video games out of sixth and last computerized Western Convention playoff spot. Cleveland (30-21) has been one of many hotter Jap groups because the calendar flipped to 2026, going 13-6 since a Christmas Day loss to the New York Knicks. The Cavs are at the moment tied for fourth within the East with Toronto, two video games behind New York and Boston of their runner-up tie.

Headlined by franchise face Donovan Mitchell, the Cavs have saved busy this commerce season, as a three-team cope with Chicago and Sacramento beforehand acquired backcourt depth within the type of Keon Ellis and Dennis Schroder. 

Thus ends a profitable seven-year tour of Cleveland for Garland, who has averaged 18.8 factors and 6.7 assists since coming over because the fifth decide of the 2019 NBA Draft out of Vanderbilt. The 2-time All-Star has seen a few of his newer efforts hampered by a toe damage, one which has saved him sidelined since Jan. 14. An analogous ailment marred the Cavs’ 2025 playoff run, which noticed them drop a five-game second-round set to the convention champion Indiana Pacers final spring.

Paradoxically sufficient, the Cavs and Clippers are stationed in Inglewood, as they’re due for an interconference conflict on Wednesday night time (10:30 p.m. ET, FanDuel Sports activities Ohio/FanDuel Sports activities SoCal).

Has The Beard lastly discovered the correct touchdown spot that can convey him that elusive championship? Or will this commerce deadline situation play out as soon as once more within the close to future?  

Geoff Magliocchetti is on X @GeoffJMags