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Clippers trade James Harden to Cavaliers in blockbuster deal

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Renzo Pocholo Salao | Last updated Feb 3, 2026 8:49 PM ET

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.

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.

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