James Harden Traded To Cavaliers Looking To Win With Donovan Mitchell On Roster

A future Basketball Hall of Fame member has been traded for the fifth time in his career.

On Feb. 3, James Harden was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Darius Garland. 

Harden played three seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers. In the 2024-25 season, he made the All-Star team with a 22.8 points per game average. Garland had played his whole career with the Cavaliers before this trade. He made two All-Star appearances with the team.

Harden was drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2009 NBA draft. He became a star after being traded to the Houston Rockets. He requested a trade from them during the 2020-21 season. Since then, he’s played short stints with the Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers and Clippers. 

Harden won an MVP in 2018 and has made 11 All-Star appearances. Despite not being an All-Star this season, he’s averaging 25 points per game, his most since the 2019-20 season. 

Harden said that he didn’t request a trade from the Clippers. Meanwhile, ESPN reported that he did. 

Even in his older age, Harden is a clear upgrade over Garland. Harden is a better scorer, passer, rebounder and defender. Even if none of that was true, he’s more durable than Garland.

Garland gives the Clippers a young piece to rebuild around long-term. The Clippers don’t have control over most of their future first-round draft picks due to a trade with the Thunder. 

The Cavaliers are desperate to win before Donovan Mitchell’s team option after the 2026-27 season. Harden may be the biggest move they can make to help Mitchell. The Cavaliers may need to take more shots to truly be competitive. Meanwhile, the Clippers likely don’t have any more moves they can make due to salary restrictions and a lack of draft assets.