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NBA Trade: James Harden Joins Cleveland Cavaliers in Deal for Darius Garland and Draft Pick

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"The Cavaliers acquire a past MVP in Harden; the Clippers pivot to a younger star in Garland and future assets."

Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Clippers Agree to Trade

The Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Clippers have agreed to a trade involving guards James Harden and Darius Garland. The deal sends Harden to Cleveland and brings Garland and a future second-round draft pick to Los Angeles.

Trade Terms

The Clippers will receive guard Darius Garland and a second-round pick from the Cleveland Cavaliers. In return, the Cavaliers will acquire James Harden.

The agreement is not yet officially finalized and is pending league approval, with a potential completion date as early as the Wednesday following the report, when the two teams are scheduled to play in Inglewood, California.

Player Context

James Harden:

  • Age: 36 (turning 37 in August 2025)
  • A former NBA MVP and 11-time All-Star.
  • For the 2024-25 season, Harden averaged 25.4 points per game, his highest scoring average since the 2019-20 season.
  • He previously played for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Brooklyn Nets, and Philadelphia 76ers before joining the Clippers in 2023.
  • Harden held trade veto power and sought a "win now" opportunity.

Darius Garland:

  • Age: 26
  • A two-time All-Star guard drafted by Cleveland in 2019.
  • This season, Garland averaged 18.0 points and 6.9 assists per game over 26 games, though his availability was limited by toe injuries.
  • He played a key role in the Cavaliers' rebuild.

Contract Details

James Harden:

  • His current season salary is $39.3 million.
  • For the 2025-26 season, $13.8 million of his $49.2 million salary is guaranteed.
  • Harden declined a $42.3 million player option for the 2025-26 season and is negotiating a multiyear contract with Cleveland.
  • According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Cleveland intends to stay under the second apron, currently approximately $42 million below it with Harden off the books. Both sides have incentive to agree on a deal with more years at a lower annual salary.

Darius Garland:

  • He is in the third year of a five-year contract worth $197 million.

Team Implications

Cleveland Cavaliers:

  • The Cavaliers, with a 30-21 record at the time of the trade, acquired Harden to pair with guard Donovan Mitchell.
  • Cleveland reached the Eastern Conference finals but were swept by the New York Knicks.
  • According to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, an "understanding" existed between Harden and the Cavaliers before the trade that he would receive a new contract after the season.
  • The Cavaliers began building a relationship with Harden before the trade was finalized.

Los Angeles Clippers:

  • The Clippers acquire the 26-year-old Garland, focusing on both immediate and future team development.
  • Prior to the trade, Harden had contributed to the Clippers' recovery from a 6-21 start, helping the team achieve a 17-4 record since December 20.
  • The Clippers had declined to offer Harden a longer-term contract after an All-NBA season, citing his age and a focus on long-term flexibility.

Market Reaction

Following the trade report, DraftKings Sportsbook shifted the Cavaliers' NBA title odds from 22-1 to 12-1. Cleveland now shares the third-shortest title odds with the New York Knicks.