James Harden was always an odd fit for a Cleveland Cavaliers team that has yet to enjoy a deep NBA playoffs run in the Donovan Mitchell era. The 2018 MVP is undoubtedly one of the best guards of his era and has inspired young players everywhere with his patented step-back 3-pointer and superb playmaking skills. But postseason shortcomings are inextricably linked to his legacy. The Cavs took a gamble, and it is not paying dividends.
At least not right now. With Cleveland only two losses away from getting eliminated in the Eastern Conference Semifinals for a third consecutive year, it is easy to castigate the organization for trading the 26-year-old Darius Garland and a 2026 second-round draft pick to the Los Angeles Clippers for Harden. The Beard is 9-of-28 from the field (32.1 percent) and 1-of-11 from 3-point range, while also committing 5.5 turnovers through two contests against the Detroit Pistons. He has compounded this squad's big-game problems.
It could be worse, however. Garland endured his own playoff struggles and was battling a lingering toe injury. Cleveland was plateauing with its current core and required a shakeup. It was risky to bank on the two-time All-Star's health and continued growth. The Cavs had the opportunity to clear the remainder of the five-year, $197 million contract extension that Garland signed in 2022, and they justifiably took it.
Harden obviously came with his own risks, and they are on full display in the early portion of the Pistons series, but the franchise is in a more flexible position. If the Cavaliers are unable to flip momentum in Rocket Arena this weekend, then they may decide to pivot this offseason. A $210-plus-million payroll is obviously difficult to navigate, but it would feel near-impossible if Garland's hefty deal was still on the books.
Although the result might be the same — despair — the James Harden trade could still benefit Cleveland in the long run.
The Cavs needed change
Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden (1) controls the ball against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half at State Farm Arena.
Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
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Cavaliers president of basketball operations Koby Altman was certainly feeling the pressure after falling short against the Indiana Pacers last year. Injuries affected that 64-18 squad, with Garland's status serving as a particularly burdensome roadblock. His health issues carried over into the 2025-26 season. Cleveland opted to capitalize on its diminishing title window and paired Mitchell with a future Hall of Famer in Harden.
The trade produced promising results from the onset, as the three-time scoring champion and two-time assists leader helped reinvigorate the offense. The numbers show that Cleveland rejuvenated Harden as well. He averaged 20.5 points, 7.7 assists and 4.8 rebounds while shooting 46.6 percent from the floor and 43.5 percent from distance in 26 regular season games with the Cavs.
His postseason reputation is presently holding firm, but Garland's track record, albeit in a much smaller sample size, leaves plenty to be desired as well. There was no simple solution. If a talented core consisting of Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen and Garland/Harden cannot take this organization to the Eastern Conference Finals, then hard decisions are inevitable.
Why make a tough situation even more unpleasant by hanging on to a potentially injury-prone player who will collect roughly $87 million across the next two seasons? James Harden presumably wants a multi-year commitment, but the Cavs have options. Assuming how this postseason trip concludes, they can wait out the eight-time All-NBA selection's $42.3 million player option, reach a new deal or ship him elsewhere.
There is obviously still a chance Harden and the Cavaliers fight back against the offensively-inconsistent Pistons, but either way, that Feb. 4 trade remains defensible. When a team cannot get over the hump, management has to at least consider rolling the dice.
Cleveland may be forced to gamble again in the near future.
James Harden was always an odd fit for a Cleveland Cavaliers team that has yet to enjoy a deep NBA playoffs run in the Donovan Mitchell era. The 2018 MVP is undoubtedly one of the best guards of his era and has inspired young players everywhere with his patented step-back 3-pointer and superb playmaking skills.