Potential Lakers target James Harden decided to stay put with the Clippers.
Getty Images
Potential Lakers target James Harden decided to stay put with the Clippers.
James Harden has become one of the main focuses of the Thursday NBA trade deadline after reports broke that the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Clippers were engaged in serious discussions about the superstar guard.
While most of the talk about the deadline has revolved around Milwaukee Bucks superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo over the last few weeks, Harden’s name has stolen the show.
Keeping that in mind, a new update has been shared about the situation. It sure sounds like the two teams are progressing in talks and might be nearing an agreement.
According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, the two sides are motivated to work out a deal.
“Los Angeles Clippers and Cleveland Cavaliers have ramped up conversations on a James Harden, Darius Garland package with both sides motivated to executing a deal relatively soon, league sources tell me,” Haynes wrote on X.
What a Cavaliers-Clippers Trade Featuring James Harden Could Look Like
There is no telling exactly what the final trade package could look like. However, the early reporting has suggested that the Cavaliers would be sending point guard Darius Garland back to the Clippers as the featured part of the return.
Garland has averaged 18 points per game this year in 26 games played. He has also chipped in 6.9 assists and 2.4 rebounds, while shooting 45.1 percent from the floor and 36 percent from three-point range.
What else could be included by Cleveland to acquire Harden? It’s possible that a draft pick or two would need to head back to Los Angeles in the deal.
The Cavaliers are still fresh off of trading De’Andre Hunter to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Keon Ellis and Dennis Schroder. That deal has led to an excessive amount of guard talent in Cleveland.
Trading Garland would be a difficult decision to make, but replacing him with Harden and having excellent depth in the former of Schroder would solidify the point guard position.
Why the Cavaliers Are Targeting a Blockbuster Trade
At the end of the day, the Cavaliers are focused solely on trying to win now.
ESPN’s Tim Bontemps shared that Cleveland is worried about Donovan Mitchell leaving town if the team can’t put an NBA Finals contender on the court.
“The Cavaliers know they are facing a huge decision this summer, one year before Mitchell can become a free agent in the 2027 offseason. If the Cavaliers again exit in the first or second round — as Mitchell has in each of his first eight seasons — will he be willing to commit to another extension in Cleveland?” Bontemps wrote.
“That seems unlikely. No one is more aware of that than the Cavaliers, who have already made one deal and are clearly interested in making more between now and Thursday afternoon.”
Harden has had yet another big season for Los Angeles this year. He has played in 44 games, averaging 25.4 points per game to go along with 8.1 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.3 steals, while shooting 41.9 percent overall and 34.7 percent from the three-point line.
Would a trade swapping Garland for Harden be the move that powers the Cavaliers to the NBA Finals? Possibly not, but it’s clear that the team is feeling pressure to make a move to prove that they’re all-in to Mitchell.