One of the biggest trades ahead of the deadline came between the Los Angeles Clippers and Cleveland Cavaliers, as Los Angeles dealt veteran guard James Harden to Cleveland in exchange for Darius Garland and a second-round pick.
The move signaled a shift toward the future for the Clippers, with the departures of Harden - and Ivica Zubac - serving as early indicators of a retooling phase, even as the team opted to keep Kawhi Leonard on the roster.
Harden, meanwhile, has already turned the page to his next chapter in Cleveland. All signs currently point to him making his Cavaliers debut Saturday night in Sacramento against the Kings, and ahead of the matchup, Harden shared a five-word message on social media.
"It all comes full circle," Harden posted on X, alongside an old photo of himself with Donovan Mitchell.
Harden has put together a Hall of Fame–level career, though it has also been met with scrutiny over his departures from multiple teams, his style of play, and whether it translates to winning when it matters most.
That said, Harden continues to produce, and his performance this season has been impressive. He's averaging 25.4 points, 8.1 assists, and 4.8 rebounds per game - his highest scoring average since the 2019–20 season with the Houston Rockets, when he led the league at 34.3 points per game.
Across Harden's 17-year NBA career, this will be his sixth team. Notably, he holds a player option for the 2026–27 season, meaning that once this year concludes, he could opt out and enter free agency depending on how this stretch run with Cleveland goes. Harden could also choose to opt in, spend next season with the Cavaliers, or potentially work toward an extension with the team.
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