The Cleveland Cavaliers’ decision to trade Darius Garland for James Harden reportedly emerged as one of several factors that worked against a LeBron James reunion.
The Cleveland Cavaliers' blockbuster acquisition of James Harden may have indirectly affected LeBron James' decision to join the Philadelphia 76ers.
James Harden
Position SG, PG
Age 36
Height 196 cm
Weight 100 kg
Birth place Los Angeles, United States of America
According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, Harden's presence in Cleveland was not itself a reason James turned down a potential return to his hometown team. Instead, the Cavaliers' decision to part ways with Darius Garland to acquire Harden reportedly mattered.
"It’s not that the Cavs having Harden was a factor, but rather who the Cavs did not have," Windhorst wrote.
"To get Harden from the LA Clippers in February, the Cavs traded Darius Garland, a Klutch-repped point guard with whom James has had a yearslong relationship."
Garland absence worked against Cleveland
Cleveland acquired Harden from the Los Angeles Clippers in February in exchange for Garland and a future second-round pick.
At the time of the trade, Harden was averaging 25.4 points and 8.1 assists per game, while Garland had recorded 18.0 points and 6.9 assists per contest.
However, Garland's departure removed a player with whom James reportedly had a strong personal connection. Both Garland and James are represented by Klutch Sports.
Windhorst identified three factors that worked against Cleveland: James was not prioritizing a return home for family reasons, the Cavaliers did not acquire Jaylen Brown, and Garland was no longer on their roster.
James joins loaded 76ers core
James will continue his career in Philadelphia after choosing the 76ers over several other championship contenders.
The move places him alongside Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown, and VJ Edgecombe, giving Philadelphia one of the NBA's most talented groups.
The 76ers acquired Brown from the Boston Celtics earlier this offseason, adding the five-time All-Star to a core already led by Embiid and Maxey.
James' playmaking could reduce the offensive burden on Philadelphia's other stars, while Brown and Maxey would provide athleticism and scoring around him.
His existing relationship with Embiid, whom he played alongside with Team USA, also offers Philadelphia another experienced superstar partnership.
James had previously attracted speculation about Philadelphia after using his familiar "trust the process" phrase, although he has used the expression throughout his career.
His decision transforms the Sixers into one of the Eastern Conference's most closely watched teams and raises expectations of an immediate championship push.
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