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INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 4: Darius Garland of the Los Angeles Clippers greets former Cleveland Cavaliers teammates after a game at Intuit Dome on February 4, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Wally Skalij/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Clippers made the decision to trade James Harden in exchange for Darius Garland. It was a decision that seemingly came together quickly. Harden wanted to be moved, so LA decided to send him to Cleveland.
Garland is a much younger guard who has already made an All-Star team. The biggest problem with Garland has been his injury history. Garland had offseason surgery on his toe that made him miss some games to start the season. Now, he has an injury to his other foot.
Clippers general manager Lawrence Frank talked about Garland for the first time since trading for him. He gave a cryptic injury update on the newest guard on the roster.
GettyCleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland looks on. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
The Clippers Don’t Give a Firm Timeline on Darius Garland Return
While speaking to the media, Frank didn’t give a firm timeline on Garland’s return from his latest injury and when he might make his Clippers debut. Frank mentioned that the Clippers are going to give him plenty of time to recover from the toe surgery that he had in the offseason.
So far this season, Garland has played in just 26 games. The Clippers traded for him so they can compete better next season. This year, LA had the 12th-best offense with Harden in the lineup. Garland should be able to keep that at a similar level once he gets healthy.
Cleveland decided to trade Garland in order to get a more win-now player in Harden. Garland won’t be returning until after the All-Star break. At what point beyond the All-Star break is still a mystery, especially after Frank’s cryptic answer. It seems he is still a ways away from getting back on the court.
The Clippers have no incentive to tank for the rest of the season, so they want Garland to return this season. Seeing how he fits with Bennedict Mathurin, another new piece, and Kawhi Leonard is imperative for how well they will play next year.
GettyCleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland dribbles the ball. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
The Clippers Love Darius Garland’s Potential
While Harden is the better player right now, Garland’s potential is greater. He is a much younger player than Harden is, so he has more future years to produce. The Cavaliers decided to part ways with him for a reason, so the Clippers have to be aware of that.
Garland won’t be able to improve their perimeter defense, though. Right now, LA has just the 11th-worst defense in the league. With Garland being a smaller guard, it is a little harder for him to participate in a top-level defense. His foot injuries might compromise him further, though.
Frank made it clear that Garland will not return to the lineup until he is fully healthy. He, along with Mathurin, is now part of a younger core that they will build around. Leonard might be part of the immediate future, but it’s unclear how long he will stay in LA.