The Clippers and Cavaliers have reached an agreement on a much-rumored James Harden trade. Harden is headed to Cleveland in exchange for Darius Garland and a second-round pick, Shams Charania of ESPN reports (via Twitter). The pick is Cleveland’s own second-rounder this June, tweets Jake Fischer of The Stein Line.
Word broke within the past 24 hours that Harden and the Clippers were working together to find him a new home, with Cleveland considered to be the leading suitor. NBA insider Chris Haynes (Twitter link) reported this morning that the two teams ramped up their trade discussions in an effort to reach an agreement prior to Thursday’s deadline — now they have.
Harden, a Los Angeles native will join his fifth different team in the last six seasons. As part of the deal, he’ll have to waive his one-year Bird restriction (a de facto no-trade clause) and all but eliminate his $2.3MM trade bonus, ESPN’s Bobby Marks tweets.
The Cavaliers cannot make Harden’s salary exceed Garland’s due to apron restrictions, cap expert Yossi Gozlan tweets. That bonus is capped at $263,397, which is the difference between the two players’ salaries. Harden could waive the entire amount to help the Cavs move slightly closer to the second tax apron.
In the short run, Harden should increase the Cavs’ chances of competing for a title in the wide-open East as he teams up with All-Star Donovan Mitchell in a dynamic backcourt. Despite his advanced age, Harden is still a prolific scorer — he’s averaging 24.7 points and 8.1 assists along with 4.8 rebounds per game this season.
Garland — a two-time All-Star — is averaging 18.0 PPG (down from 20.6 last season) and 6.9 APG in 26 games. He has been sidelined for 10 consecutive games due to a right toe sprain after missing time earlier in the season due to left toe issues. Sources tell ESPN’s Brian Windhorst that Garland has made progress in his recovery and could return soon, though there’s some concern about whether his toe problems could turn into a longer-term issue.
Garland, 26, gives the Clippers a younger backcourt starter who could fill a combo guard role for seasons to come, assuming his toe injuries don’t linger. He’s in the third season of a five-year, $197.3MM contract that runs through 2027/28. According to Gozlan (Twitter link), he’ll become eligible this offseason for an extension of three years and up to $178MM.
Harden’s contract situation is more much complicated. He’s making $39.2M this season and has a $42.3MM player option for next season. However, the option would only be partially guaranteed for $13.3MM if it’s picked up. In that scenario, Harden’s salary wouldn’t become fully guaranteed until July 11.
It remains to be seen whether Cleveland gave Harden any assurances about guaranteeing his entire 2026/27 salary or re-signing him to a new contract if he opts out — the veteran guard’s desire to sign a new guaranteed two-year deal that L.A. wasn’t prepared to give him after this season was rumored to be one key factor why he sought a change of scenery.
If Harden declines his option, the Cavs would hold only his Non-Bird rights. However, those would be more than enough to sign him to a market-value contract, since they allow for a deal covering up to four seasons and a raise of up to 20% on the player’s previous salary.
Congratulations to the Cleveland Cavaliers that just destroyed all of their chances of winning a championship!
How The Garland back court wasn’t going to work at all. It was too small. This gives them a playmaker. Plus they have defense all around. I wouldn’t have traded Hunter and then made it this trade cuz I felt like he played defense but with mobley and their big man they’ll be pretty good
Hardin always disappears in the playoffs, causes disruption in the locker room and is 10 years older. Just ask his previous 5 teams and their fans.
Teams have tried hiding Harden’s D for years – it doesn’t work. The Cavs don’t suddenly have the answer.
Cavs could have done so much better than bring in an old warn out player
Too small? Now you’re down to a backcourt of one on defense because only half the court exists for Harden.
Harden is the greatest chocker and quitter of his generation. He will let you down the worst way possible in the playoffs because he will blow up in a game one two three or four with 40 points. But when you need him when the money is on the line games 5-7 he’s a complete gag job. Then when he doesn’t get an extension from them he will show up to camp 30 points over wait with a fake injury and demand to be traded.
Nailed it
They were tied for the 11th best record in the league. They didn’t have a chance of winning a championship, which is why they did something dumb.
Congrats clippers for upgrading your roster. Fire your GM Cavs.
WOWWWWW-uh!!!
*****TAKING THE PULSE OF THE HRC (Hoops Rumors Commenters)*****
One of the best sports weeks of the year is upon us, you guys – and the NBA’s got a seat at the table.
Let’s try get as many participants for this as possible. Ideally, test your luck with the entire list (tiebreakers go to those who guessed with more players), but a smaller portion is certainly welcomed.
From the list of players below, provide a YES if you think he will be traded by February 5th or a NO if you don’t think he will be traded by Feb. 5………
(1 point for each correct YES or NO)…..20 total options
1. Giannis Antetokounmpo
2. Miles Bridges
3. Jimmy Butler III
4. Anthony Davis
5. DeMar DeRozan
6. Jerami Grant
7. REMOVE James Harden (OFF THE BOARD)……to CLE
8. Tyler Herro
9. REMOVE Jaren Jackson Jr. (OFF THE BOARD)…..to UTAH
10. LeBron James Sr.
11. Jonathan Kuminga
12. Ja Morant
13. Trey Murphy III
14. Michael Porter Jr.
15. Austin Reaves
16. Domantas Sabonis
17. Klay Thompson
18. Karl Anthony Towns
19. *COBY WHITE* (new inclusion)
20. Andrew Wiggins
21. Zion Williamson
22. *DRAYMOND GREEN* (new inclusion)
CURRENTLY: 5 participants
LOOSE DEADLINE TO PARTICIPATE: Wednesday afternoon….OR if/when 2+ additional players are traded and come off the board.
Since the list is updated:
22. No
1/5/6/12/14/19
The most rumored names usually don’t move. The most beat reporter smoke is usually a team feeding info cuz they’re desperate like Mavs with AD. Im making exception for Giannis though here because I don’t think that situation is tenable any more for either party
Diabetic Rockstar pushes it to 6 participants. We’ll make Draymond Green the final NBA player inclusion. So if another player(s) comes off the board between now and the loose deadline, any remaining participants will potentially be working with 19 player options, or less – giving the early birds a slight advantage.
Cavs – the latest sucker charmed by Harden.
As a Rockets fan, I can tell you that it was fun watching him play. Until they hit the post-season, then it was a sh*tshow.
Wow, what were the Cavs thinking? Harden is ten years older, a cancer in the locker room who disappears in the playoffs. The Clippers won this hands down.
Ma not really. Garland needs a liability unless you have another big shooting guard next to him and it wasn’t going to work in Cleveland. I think it’s a even trade. He helps the clippers and harden helps the cavs. The East is open so now’s your time to go for it
I was a Sixers fan, we were so happy to see him go.
Sums it up perfectly. Harden is all NBA playoff clutch joker with Embiid and Bron.
4 trade requests in 5 years – but it’ll be different this time, right Cleveland? Good luck.
Can’t wait until next deadline when Harden asks to be traded elsewhere.
Cavs just got weaker in games 6&7 which is the exact OPPOSITE of what they need.
Lebron would have been a better choice.
I’ll be in the minority here but I like it for Cle….A LOT
Garlands feet are a huge issue today, one that Cle cant gamble on considering their arc
Yeah, folks are forgetting that Garland is damaged goods.
How were the Cavs talked into giving up a pick for a guy that requested to be traded and is 10 years older?
The Nico Harrison school of player evaluation
Cavs loading up…
James Harden is never happy, damn. Darius Garland in LA is crazy.
Boston’s road through the LEast just got easier.
Boston and Detroit the only real teams in the east
Cavs saw Harden force his way out of the Rockets, Nets, Sixers, and now Clippers and said to themselves “that’s championship level leadership right there!”
I made an account here just so I could post to say that this trade blows
I did laughing
Died**
Spida and Harden is a fatty backcourt
Death, taxes and James Harden disappearing post-season.
Book it.
OKC says thank you. Don’t think Clips are better this year and should slip back into lottery. Maybe Kawhi gets moved in off season if Clips embrace rebuild and getting younger.
The bottom teams in the West are pretty bad, I still see them in the play in
Yeah with Grizzlies tanking. Jazz also involved with OKC they need to have top 8 to keep pick. Jazz could push for play in but I don’t think they will.
I’m not surprised if this isn’t a precursor to LeBron back to Cleveland for a farewell tour, and in his mind, a chance at a championship. With a first or second round exit, I would be surprised if Atkinson gets to keep his job in the offseason.
I’ve always been very low on Garland. I actually think it’s a mild upgrade for the Cavs, at least James will be be healthy most of the time.
As a Clippers and Harden fan… goodbye you bearded b***h.
Ma’am, your team wasn’t going anywhere with him, and your team is even sh!ttier now. Your tears will pour for another decade or longer.
If Spida wants out, this trade will look very stupid.
Did spida approve of it?
Cavs screwed up. Now they have two guards that will launch from half court without thinking.
Darius Garland and his grandmother feet weren’t winning Cleveland title. Mitchell, Harden, Ellis and Schroeder is nice depth
Same thing I just said.
I can’t read.
Not even counting continuity, I’d have preferred the CAVS trying to get Garland healthy and in the playoffs …… The East is still wide-open, I like the PISTONS but there’s very likely a right of passage thing that they’ll likely go through, being a young team and all.
I’m no doctor, but turf toes and a broken jaw sounds low on the chronic health issue pyramid ……. whereas Harden has showed time and time and time again that he CANNOT be relied upon come playoffs.
Garland was broken last year for playoffs. Cavs have seen enough. At least James gets on the court.
Gives up on a 26-yr old with “mechanical” injuries rather than chronic ones …….. replaces him with a 36-yr old with an extensive history of playoff disappointment and is the most immobile player in the entire league, when it comes to defense (Luka is next).
Harden is having a comeback year. Those are serious numbers he’s putting up. His D can be hidden by the two bigs. I guess Cavs didn’t want to deal with Garland and his injuries. Cavs are better. Harden doesn’t have a ring. So Cavs are counting on that. I get it. Cavs are
30-21 today 2 gms out of 2nd place. 7 1/2 out of first.
Thanks AL. Garland hasn’t done anything and I’m not sold on him in the playoff. How many more years do you need to see that that team wasn’t going to win so you switch things up? Go for it. If it doesn’t work out, you move off of harden after next year
I like Gariand. But I agree. I think they just didn’t trust him. So you go for it with a guy that’s hungry. Like you said they can move on from Harden. Has a PO next yr. So they got two yrs for a ring.
I like Garland too but one he’s hurting two. He’s just going to get exposed in the playoffs. I don’t think his offense makes up that much for his defense and he’s not a playmaker. That’s not saying that he’s not good. You just have to have a strong tune next to him. And I think the clippers is the team with kwai and I forget who plays the two guard but it’s a defender.
James brings another playmaker who can take off a lot of scoring load from Mitchell and he’ll be able to throw lobs in playmake which Garland couldn’t do making mobley and the center get easier looks. It does come down to the playoffs and we’ll see what James has in the playoffs
Yup you right he gives them playmaking ability for all his teammates. He’s playing this yr. I’ll give him that. Plus now DM is going off.
Isnt it funny how he avg 16 PPG on the Clips when he has his deal in place, but then 25 when he wants a new one?
You can count on him disappearing in the playoffs and playing zero defense like he did for his last 5 teams.
Best deadline ever!!!!
Harden is avg 25.4 PPG? He hasnt done that since 2019-20 lol he been hoopin trying to get that big money and then when the Clips said no to 2/80 he asked for the trade. Funny how he avg 16 PPG on the Clips when he has his deal in place, but then 25 when he wants a new one?
Oh boy, I don’t think this is a good trade for the Cavs. I think they may end up regretting trading for a 36 year old who rarely stays with his teams. Garland is pretty solid, so this may hurt the Cavs in the future, but decent in the present
I just don’t understand how after this many years teams still want to be in the James Harden business
Harden isn’t the solution and his contract sucks. I’ll take Garland all day and his contract isn’t the greatest, he still has upside. Hardness is fading and his playoff track record is terrible. Good luck
Garland is kinda terrible tbh Jim is avg 25.8 PPG
Harden wanting to be traded to a contender… so he can implode their chances. Lol.
thought GMs were smarter than this .. at least the Cavs didn’t mortgage their future.. like other organizations who traded for harden .. but they did wipe out any chance at a successful playoff run
Moving off Garland’s contract, based on its terms or his fit with DM, is one thing, but buying into Harden is quite another. I’ve been in favor of the former for awhile, even with the pairing with DM was sort of working. The latter could only make sense if there were no alternatives, which I can’t believe. Even then, it has to be a 0.5 to 1.5 year thing, without an extension.
The DM – Harden combination (if in fact it’s CLE’s intent to play them together for 30 minutes or so) should make for a fascinating shot chart. Albeit not a healthy one.
Cleveland got off to.a slow start this season but have been playing better as of late while all while Garland had been out. Adding Harden makes them better now. Whatever they get from Harden is more than what they’re getting from Garland. He adds scoring and playmaking.
I’ve thought for a while they should trade Garland but I always thought it’d be for a defensive wing and they would let Mitchell run the show.
As far as Harden getting traded constantly you have too look at the situations he was in. The Rockets were cooked. They’d tried everything to get over the hump and had ran out of assets. He did them a favor. It was time to move on.
The Nets were a mess were with part time Kyrie and all the injuries. It just wasn’t working out there.
Morey made promises he shouldn’t have made and didn’t keep. I would have wanted out as well.
The Clippers made it clear that he wasn’t part of their future after next season so why stick around?
Stunning, Steve Dunning.