The Los Angeles Clippers and Cleveland Cavaliers have finalized a major trade ahead of the NBA deadline, agreeing to exchange All-Star guards James Harden and Darius Garland, with Cleveland also sending a second-round draft pick to Los Angeles. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported the deal after speculation intensified earlier in the week, when Yahoo Sports noted that the two teams were in serious discussions. The move signals a clear shift in direction for both franchises as they look to strengthen their playoff chances.
Harden Accepts New Chapter In Cleveland Amid Contract Control And Scoring Climb
Harden, 36, is in the second season of a two-year, $81.5 million contract he signed last June after declining his player option. The structure of the deal gave Harden significant control over his future, meaning he had the ability to block a trade if he chose. To complete the move to Cleveland, Harden agreed to waive a one-year Bird restriction that functioned as a no-trade clause. He also holds a $42.3 million player option for the 2026–27 season, though only $13 million of that amount is guaranteed.
Darius Garland
Darius Garland (NBA)
Now in his 17th NBA season, Harden is set to play for his sixth franchise since being drafted third by the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2009. He spent the past three seasons with the Clippers, where he averaged 21.1 points, 8.5 assists, and 5.3 rebounds per game.
This season has been one of his most productive in recent years, as he averaged 25.4 points across 44 games, his highest scoring average since the 2019–20 season. Despite those numbers and his continued offensive impact, Harden was left off the All-Star roster. In December, he reached another career milestone by moving into ninth place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.
Cavaliers Seek Renewed East Push While Clippers Bet On Garland’s Health Future
For Cleveland, the trade represents an aggressive attempt to regain momentum in the Eastern Conference. The Cavaliers entered the week in fifth place at 30–21, a noticeable step back from last season’s 64–18 campaign that produced the conference’s best record. Injuries to Garland played a major role in that decline, as he missed 25 of the team’s first 51 games. Even when available, questions remained about how well Garland and fellow All-Star Donovan Mitchell fit together in the backcourt. By acquiring Harden, the Cavaliers are hoping his scoring and playmaking can spark their offense and form a formidable guard pairing with Mitchell in an Eastern Conference that remains wide open.
The Clippers, on the other hand, receive Garland, a 24-year-old two-time All-Star with the potential to be a long-term backcourt anchor. Garland averaged 20.6 points and 6.7 assists last season while shooting 40.1 percent from three-point range, earning his second All-Star selection. His recent seasons have been disrupted by injuries, including a toe injury that sidelined him during Cleveland’s playoff run and required offseason surgery. A separate toe injury on his other foot has kept him out of recent games, and his timetable for a Clippers debut remains uncertain.
Los Angeles has climbed back into the playoff picture after a rough 6–21 start, improving to 23–26. The Clippers are counting on Garland’s scoring and distribution to complement Kawhi Leonard and help sustain their push toward the postseason once he returns to full health.