James Harden may be leaving the Los Angeles Clippers for the chilly courts of Cleveland. Harden going to the Cavaliers for guard Darius Garland is the new, hot rumor in advance of Thursday’s NBA Trade Deadline. Shams Charania of ESPN [released the initial update via X this morning](https://x.com/i/status/2018541694782951933). The story has been gaining steam since.
Harden is now in his 35th…errrrr…17th NBA season, averaging 25.4 points, 8.1 assists, and 4.8 rebounds in 35.4 minutes per game over 44 appearances with the Clippers. He has also played for the Houston Rockets, Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers and Oklahoma City Thunder. He is 36 years old.
Garland has played all of his seven NBA seasons with the Cavaliers. He’s averaging 18 points and 6.9 assists in 30.5 minutes per game, playing 26 times this year. He just turned 26.
Though Harden’s stats are impressive, the Clippers have not won as much as they’d hoped since he joined Kawhi Leonard to complete a star-studded lineup in LA back in 2023. His contract runs one more season, a player option worth $42 million next year. Garland makes a comparable salary. His deal runs through 2028 with no options.