Clippers and Cavs Reportedly Negotiate Harden-Garland Trade
The Los Angeles Clippers and the Cleveland Cavaliers are in advanced discussions about a significant trade involving James Harden and Darius Garland. This potential deal could see Harden heading to Cleveland while Garland would move to Los Angeles.
Trade Negotiations Overview
Recent reports from reliable sources have highlighted the ongoing conversations between the two teams. Chris Mannix from Sports Illustrated first broke this story, indicating that both sides are actively working on the terms of the trade.
Player Status
James Harden has missed his second consecutive game due to personal reasons. Clippers’ head coach Tyronn Lue confirmed that Harden was at home in Phoenix, though he did not provide further details regarding his absence.
On the flip side, the Cavaliers have expressed interest in Harden for some time. Kelly Iko of Yahoo Sports mentioned that Cleveland has been looking to acquire the seasoned player since December 2022, especially when the Clippers were facing challenges early in the season.
Interest in Darius Garland
The Clippers have shown a consistent interest in Darius Garland, a two-time All-Star guard. However, Garland has dealt with injuries during the 2025/26 NBA season, which may complicate the trade negotiations.
Upcoming Deadline and Expectations
Shams Charania from ESPN confirmed that the Clippers and Harden are collaboratively exploring options to facilitate a move prior to the Thursday trade deadline. Additionally, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst noted that this trade would represent a major shift in both teams’ strategies.
- Teams Involved: Los Angeles Clippers, Cleveland Cavaliers
- Key Players: James Harden, Darius Garland
- Trade Interest Date: Cleveland’s interest in Harden dates back to December 2022
This trade, if finalized, would undoubtedly be a blockbuster move in the NBA. More updates are anticipated as the deadline approaches.
