The Los Angeles Clippers and Cleveland Cavaliers have made one of the bigger moves of the trade deadline, swapping two high-profile guards.
The Clippers are sending James Harden to Cleveland in exchange for Darius Garland and a future second-round pick. Both teams confirmed the deal on Wednesday.
Harden is having his best scoring season in six years, averaging 25.4 points and 8.1 assists through 44 games. He has been a key reason the Clippers climbed back into playoff contention after starting the season 6-21.
Clippers coach Tyronn Lue made clear how much Harden meant to the team.
“He means a lot to our team and we’ve seen it the last three years,” Lue said. “Who wouldn’t want to have James Harden?”
Cleveland will be the sixth team of Harden’s career. He has previously played for Oklahoma City, Houston, Brooklyn, Philadelphia and the Clippers.
The Cavaliers are pairing the 36-year-old Harden with star guard Donovan Mitchell, making it a move focused on winning now. For the Clippers, the deal appears to be more about the future. Garland is 26 years old, a two-time All-Star, and is averaging 18 points and 6.9 assists this season.
Harden is under contract for this season and the 2026-27 campaign, though next year is a player option, which gives him flexibility going forward.
Last season, Harden averaged 22.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 8.7 assists and earned his first All-NBA selection since 2019-20.
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