The Cleveland Cavaliers swung for the fences Tuesday to land James Harden before the trade deadline.
The Cavs have acquired Harden from the Los Angeles Clippers, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Cleveland is reportedly sending back Darius Garland and a second-round pick in the exchange.
BREAKING: The Los Angeles Clippers are trading James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Darius Garland and a second-round pick, sources tell ESPN. Prolific swap of the star point guards. pic.twitter.com/IHhhhabJnX
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 4, 2026
The move comes less than a day after Charania reported that the Clippers and Harden were working together to find a suitable trade partner that works for all sides. The Cavaliers were instantly named the favorites to trade for Harden, apparently for a good reason.
Harden’s motivation for wanting a trade was reportedly to compete for a championship. While the Clippers have been one of the hottest teams in the NBA over the past month and a half, they still project to finish outside of the West’s top six. The former MVP joins a Cavaliers team that finished first in the East last season and one that has a much easier path to the Finals.
In Garland, the Clippers get a two-time All-Star point guard who still has his best years ahead of him. It’s a commendable reset for a franchise that came into the season with the oldest roster in NBA history.
