"Future first-ballot Hall of Fame combo guard James Harden is heading to his sixth NBA franchise. ESPN's Shams Charania reports that the Los Angeles native is being traded from his hometown Clippers to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a blockbuster swap for two-time All-Star point guard Darius Garland, 10 years Harden's junior, plus a single second-round pick. Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reveals that the Cavs are sending LA their own 2026 second-rounder."
"Cleveland finally has conceded that its longtime "Core Four" of Garland, seven-time All-Star shooting guard Donovan Mitchell (who's actually two inches shorter than Harden), reigning Defensive Player of the Year power forward/center Evan Mobley, and one-time All-Star center Jarrett Allen just does not fit. That group has never made it out of the second round of the playoffs during its seasons together."
"Last year, Cleveland posted an East-best 64-18 record and seemed poised for a deep run. Instead, chemistry and health issues doomed them to a five-game second-round series defeat to the Finals-bound Indiana Pacers. Pivoting to Harden is, understandably, a bit of a short-term move intended to raise the Cavaliers' ceiling. Harden, right now, is better than Darius Garland. Garland has been saddled with foot injuries for much of the season, too, while Harden still somehow remains surprisingly durable."
James Harden, a 36-year-old Los Angeles native and future first-ballot Hall of Famer, is being traded from the Clippers to the Cleveland Cavaliers for two-time All-Star point guard Darius Garland and a second-round pick, with Cleveland sending LA its 2026 second-rounder. Harden and the Clippers coordinated his departure over several days. Los Angeles began the season 6-21 but has gone 17-5 since, aided by Harden and Kawhi Leonard. Cleveland concluded that its long-running Core Four of Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen does not fit after a 64-18 season ended in a second-round exit. The Cavs view Harden as a short-term move to raise their ceiling; Harden is currently playing better and more durably than Garland.
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