James Harden for Darius Garland Trade Reportedly Discussed By Clippers, Cavs Ahead of NBA Deadline
The Los Angeles Clippers and Cleveland Cavaliers are reportedly working on a blockbuster move ahead of Thursday's NBA trade deadline.
Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated reported Monday that the teams have held "advanced discussions" about a deal that would send James Harden to the Cavaliers and Darius Garland to the Clippers.
Mannix noted Harden was not in Los Angeles' lineup for Monday's contest against the Philadelphia 76ers with head coach Tyronn Lue saying it was because of personal reasons.
ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Los Angeles and Harden have worked together in an effort to "find a deal" ahead of the deadline. "Both sides are aligned in conversations together and with interested teams," he added.
NBA insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer later reported "that discussions regarding such a trade have not yet reached an advanced stage. The most serious recent talks between the Clippers and Cavaliers, sources say, focused on players such as LA's John Collins and Bogdan Bogdanović in potential deal structures for De'Andre Hunter, who was traded to Sacramento instead."
Stein and Fischer continued, "The Stein Line has learned that the Clippers, though, do believe that the Cavaliers can still prove to be a legitimate trade partner for Harden. Sources confirmed an ESPN report that LA is willing to work with Harden's representatives to see if a trade is feasible in the final two-plus days before the league's trade buzzer sounds that can land the 36-year-old somewhere he can secure a longer-term deal than he currently holds. Yet it is known by both sides that such a trade might not materialize."
Stein and Fischer also revealed Harden has interest in teams besides the Cavaliers, "Sources say that Harden, through various stretches of this season, has also eyed Minnesota and Atlanta as teams that appeal to him as potential landing spots, but neither the Timberwolves nor the Hawks are expected to pursue such a deal."
Stein and Fischer then noted a source stated, "It's all about a contract extension."
Kelly Iko of Yahoo Sports noted Cleveland has been interested in Harden dating back to December when the Clippers were an ugly 6-21 and looked nothing like contenders. However, they have turned the corner on their season and entered Wednesday's contest with a 23-25 record and in play-in tournament position.
Iko also pointed out Harden could veto any trade given the collective bargaining agreement's rules giving players who return to their teams on one- or two-year deals with player options implicit no-trade clauses.
Still, Charania made it clear the 11-time All-Star is working with the Clippers to facilitate a trade.
Cleveland would also give him a chance to compete for the first championship of his career seeing how it is in fifth place in the Eastern Conference and just two games behind the second-seeded New York Knicks.
"It's also believed that Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell would welcome the addition of an experienced ballhandler like Harden to ease some of the playmaking burden he has shouldered this season," reported Stein and Fischer.
The Cavaliers could also use more stability in their backcourt alongside Mitchell, as Garland has played just 26 games this season because of injuries. He also has a $42.2 million cap hit for 2026-27 and a $44.9 million cap hit for 2027-28 on his contract, so the Cavaliers could get out of that financial commitment with a deal.
Harden has a player option for next season and could be a shorter commitment.
He would also give the Cavaliers another veteran playmaker who is playing at a high level this season. The 36-year-old has turned back the clock in 2025-26 and is averaging 25.4 points, 8.1 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game while shooting 41.9 percent from the field and 34.7 percent from deep.
Mitchell and Harden would be a difficult backcourt duo for opponents to stop because they both have the ability to make plays with the ball in their hands, hit from the outside and facilitate for others if the defense collapses.
The front office has surely thought about that as it potentially looks to revamp the Eastern Conference contender before the deadline.
