James Harden was traded from the Los Angeles Clippers to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday.
Harden wanted out of Los Angeles, and the Eastern Conference contenders were his biggest suitors.
The 36-year-old was traded for Darius Garland and a second-round pick, representing good value for the Clippers.
Sports pundit Bill Simmons has since shared a hilarious reaction to the Cavs’ decision to acquire Harden.
Bill Simmons reacts to James Harden’s trade to the Cleveland Cavaliers
James Harden will always be remembered as one of the best offensive talents in NBA history.
However, he also probably has the most disappointing playoff resume of any superstar player ever.
James Harden #1 of the Los Angeles Clippers celebrates after scoring during the first quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena on March 30, 2025.
Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images
Harden has melted down in the postseason time and time again, leading many to believe that he will never win a championship.
Therefore, Simmons finds it baffling that the Cavaliers have turned to him to fix their playoff shortcomings.
He posted on Instagram: “So the Cavaliers front office is meeting a couple of days before the trade deadline, and one of the people in the meeting says, ‘Guys, we have to figure out how to stop falling apart in the playoffs. What are we going to do?’
MORE LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS STORIES
“People look around, and the second person speaks up and says, ‘What if we traded for James Harden?'”
Simmons’ hilarious post demonstrates how big a gamble the Cavs have taken with their trade.
Bill Simmons is delighted that James Harden has left the LA Clippers
While Simmons dislikes the trade from Cleveland’s perspective, he thinks that the LA Clippers made an excellent decision.
He is also delighted with the trade from his own point of view as a Clippers season ticket holder.
Simmons had stopped going to games so frequently because he did not enjoy watching Harden’s ball-dominant style of play.
“I’m so happy as a Clippers season ticket holder, who has deliberately not been going to that many games, mostly because, all due respect, I’m sure he’s a nice guy, I can’t stand watching James Harden,” Simmons explained.
“I can’t stand it. I don’t like it. I don’t like driving 40 minutes to the Intuit Dome and then having to watch James Harden just have the ball all the time and fish for fouls. I just don’t have a good time. It’s not what I like.”
Read more:
Join Our Newsletter
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox