Harden, an 11-time All-Star, was traded for the fifth time in his career after spending two and a half years with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Published February 4, 2026
The Cavaliers and Clippers have finalized a trade that sends 11-time All-Star James Harden to Cleveland and sends Darius Garland and a second-round pick to Los Angeles, both ESPN and The Athletic reported late Tuesday.
Harden, 36, had been left out of the Clippers’ lineup for the last two games for what the team labeled “personal reasons.”
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The former NBA MVP and three-time leading scorer is averaging 25.4 points, 8.1 assists and 4.8 rebounds in 44 games this season, his 17th in the NBA.
Since Harden is technically under contract for only this season, any trade would likely be blocked as any exchange would require Harden’s approval. The second year of his two-year, $81.5 million contract is a player option and is not fully guaranteed.
Garland, 26, has been sidelined since Jan. 14 with a Grade 1 right toe sprain.
The two-time All-Star is averaging 18.0 points and 6.9 assists in 26 games this season. He is in the third year of a five-year, $197.2 million contract.
The Cavaliers (30-21) are one of four teams competing in the Eastern Conference with a 30- or 31-win lead over first-place Detroit (36-12), which explains their desire to make a big move by acquiring Harden.
The Clippers remain in play-in contention in the West with a 23-26 record and are currently in ninth place.
The NBA trade deadline is Thursday at 3pm ET (8pm GMT).
