CLEVELAND, Ohio — I know the reasons the Cavs traded Darius Garland to the Clippers for James Harden and a second-round pick.
Some of them make sense and are valid.
Garland’s foot problems (yes, both feet) are a major concern. He had turf toe surgery in the off season. He’s played in only 26 of the Cavs 51 games this season.
Never a good defender, the 6-foot-1 Garland has become one of the worst in the NBA in that area according to several analytics.
Garland’s contract is a factor:
2025-26: $39 million.
2026-27: $42 million.
2027-28: $44 million.
Given the Cavs being in the NBA’s dreaded “second apron” which restricts how trades can be made, moving Garland makes sense.
Here is Harden’s contract with the Clippers:
2025-26: $39 million.
2026-27: $42 million, but only $13 million guaranteed.
The trade allows the Cavs to not have Garland’s $44 million on their salary cap in 2027-28. I’ve been waiting to see if the Cavs had to give Harden a new deal to approve the trade. He had a no trade clause.
The other thought process is the Eastern Conference is wide open, no super teams this year. If the Cavs get hot at the right time, maybe they could reach the finals.
The Cavs believe that even at the age of 36, Harden gives them a better chance to advance in the upcoming playoffs than Garland. That’s probably true.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. LA Clippers, January 29, 2024
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell shoots over LA Clippers guard James Harden. Now, they are teammates in Cleveland. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
Is this a good idea?
I have no problems with the Cavs trading Garland. In the summer, I pushed for a Garland for Jalen Suggs trade with Orlando. Like Garland, Suggs is an injury prone point guard. But when healthy, he’s a tough defender and better equipped to deal with the physical demands of the playoffs.
But James Harden?
The James Harden who walked away from the Clippers to demand a trade as the team had just won 17 of its last 21 games?
The same James Harden who has asked to be traded FOUR times in the last SIX years. That has to be some kind of dubious record.
Here’s the breakdown:
2020: He asked Houston to trade him. He was shipped to Brooklyn, a 4-way deal that brought Jarrett Allen to Cleveland.
2022: He asked Brooklyn to trade him. He was shipped to Philadelphia.
2023: He asked Philadelphia to trade him. He was traded to the Clippers.
2026: Now he wanted the Clippers to trade him, and they did.
I don’t care that Harden is a superior player to Garland. Is that what you want to bring to Cleveland?
Four trade requests in six seasons. Then add in leaving the Clippers with 1 ½ seasons left on his contract as they are in the middle of a hot playoff run.
Or how about this?
On January 16, 2026, Harden told ESPN’s Ramona Schelburne this about playing for the Clippers in his hometown:
“Being at home, that’s like the opportunity of a lifetime for me,” Harden said “Just be able to hoop in front of my family, friends, people I grew up with, people that raised me. It’s a different feeling. So as much as people talk all the time ... I’m from L.A. and I’m blessed to be here.”
That was three weeks ago.
James Harden
James Harden is 36 and an 11-time All-Star. AP
What about the playoffs?
Harden is known for having massive problems in elimination games. Here’s a sample:
2025: Scored 7 points on 2 for 8 shooting in a first-round loss to Denver.
2024: Scored 16 points on 5 for 16 shooting in a first-round loss to Dallas.
2023: Playing for Philadelphia, the Sixers had a 3-2 lead on Boston in the second round of the playoffs. Philadelphia lost the next two games. In those games, Harden shot 7 for 27 with 10 turnovers and scoring 22 points.
2022: Playing for Philadelphia, the Sixers lost the last two games to Miami. Harden shot 9 for 22 and scored a total of 25 points.
There are more examples, but you get the idea. This is not LeBron James, who could carry his team to clutch playoff victories.
Pistons Clippers Basketball
James Harden is averaging 25 points and 8.1 assists this season.AP
Going for it
The Cavs are frustrated by losing in the second round in each of the last two seasons. They have come to the realization that the Core Four of Evan Mobley, Donovan Mitchell, Jarrett Allen and Garland needed to be changed.
They also want to have a strong finish to the season because of Mitchell. The Cavs superstar has never even made it to the NBA’s Final Four in his eight NBA seasons.
Mitchell is eligible to sign another contract extension this summer. The Cavs want to show him they are willing to make bold moves to chase a title.
The Cavs obviously don’t view this as anything more except a major push to go deep into the playoffs right now. They see Harden as an 11-time All-Star who tends to be at his best when he first joins a new team.
In terms of stats, Harden is playing well as he’s averaging 25.4 points, 8.1 assists and 4.5 rebounds. He’s shooting 42%. But he also dominates the ball. He is weak defensively. He also brings along drama – such as what happened in L.A. right now.
I just fear if things don’t go smoothly for Harden and the Cavs the rest of this season, well see some of that Harden nonsense in Cleveland.