Clippers Trade James Harden To Cavaliers For Darius Garland
Clippers send 11-time All-Star James Harden to Cleveland for two-time All-Star Darius Garland and a 2026 second-round pick.
Overview
The Los Angeles Clippers traded 11-time All-Star James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Feb. 4, 2026, in exchange for two-time All-Star Darius Garland and a 2026 second-round pick, according to multiple reports including ESPN.
Harden is averaging 25.4 points, 4.8 rebounds and 8.1 assists this season and had helped lift the Clippers to a 23-26 record while the Cavaliers were 30-21, NBA statistics show.
A person with knowledge of the agreement, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the deal awaits formal approval from the NBA and team officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The move marks the fifth trade in James Harden's 17-year NBA career and pairs him with Donovan Mitchell in Cleveland, while Darius Garland, 26, has missed time with a right foot injury and last played on Jan. 14, 2026, team reports show.
The NBA must approve the transaction before the Feb. 5, 2026, 3 p.m. ET trade deadline, and analysts say the swap could reshape both teams' playoff outlooks in the final month of the regular season.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources present a largely neutral account, focusing on factual details — the trade mechanics, Harden’s season averages and transaction history, Cleveland’s standing and Garland’s injury status. Coverage emphasizes verifiable context (stats, standings, past trades) with only mild descriptive language (“well-traveled,” “star-studded”) framed as background rather than editorial judgment.
Sources (5)
FAQ
The Clippers are trading James Harden to the Cavaliers for Darius Garland and a 2026 second-round pick.
Harden has a no-trade clause due to his two-year contract with a player option for 2026-27, requiring his approval for any deal.
Harden averages 25.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 8.1 assists in 44 games; Garland averages 18.0 points, 6.9 assists in 26 games; Clippers are 23-26 (9th in West), Cavaliers 30-21 (5th in East).
The deal awaits NBA approval and Harden's consent; NBA trade deadline is Feb. 5, 2026, at 3 p.m. ET.
Harden is performing efficiently at 25.4 points and 8.1 assists, more reliably than injured Garland, to boost their playoff chances with Donovan Mitchell.
History
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