The LA Clippers and Cleveland Cavaliers have had discussions on a deal that would send James Harden to Cleveland for Darius Garland, league sources told The Athletic.
The Cavaliers’ interest in Harden, league sources said, would be contingent on the amount of draft capital the Clippers would attach to sweeten any deal where they’d swap the 26-year-old All-Star guard for the 36-year-old former MVP.
Harden sat out Monday against the Philadelphia 76ers after missing Sunday’s game in Phoenix for what the team has labeled “personal reasons.” Garland has been sidelined since Jan. 14 with a Grade 1 right toe sprain.
The Athletic confirmed late Monday that the Clippers and Harden are working to find the point guard a new home by Thursday’s trade deadline, which ESPN first reported. While Harden is not extension-eligible, league sources say the uncertainty over his contract situation (he has a player option for the 2026-27 season) is playing a pivotal role in Harden’s desire to find a new home.
Finding any team that can take on Harden, who turns 37 in August, is an obstacle. Harden has been solid this season as LA’s primary playmaker, averaging 25.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 8.1 assists, 1.3 steals and 3.1 3s per game in 35.4 minutes over 44 appearances this season. But finding a way to reimagine a roster to account for his strengths and shortcomings is a major consideration and undertaking, with only a limited number of teams making sense before you get to scheme fits and the quality of a depth chart post-trade. Each time Harden has been traded, it has been after the start of a team’s training camp (2012 from Oklahoma City, 2021 from Houston, 2022 from Brooklyn and 2023 from Philadelphia).
When it comes to Cleveland, Harden and Donovan Mitchell would give the Cavs a potentially dynamic backcourt. Harden would also Cleveland more size with its guards. The Cavs have already made a trade this season, bringing in guards Keon Ellis and Dennis Schröder from the Sacramento Kings over the weekend.
Garland, who is under contract through the 2027-28 season, would give the Clippers a point guard who can consistently get into the lane and make plays.
The Clippers (23-26) have been one of the hottest teams in the league over the last month, which makes the timing of Monday’s news odd. The Cavaliers (30-21) have gone a chunk of time with Garland, who had offseason toe surgery, and has been in and out of the lineup.