Just days before the NBA trade deadline on Thursday, news broke overnight that All-Star guard James Harden and the Los Angeles Clippers were exploring a trade. There now seems to be real traction on a deal that could send the future Hall of Famer to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
According to Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated, Cleveland and Los Angeles have held “advanced discussion” about a deal that would send Harden to the Cavaliers and guard Darius Garland to the Clippers.
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There is a complicating factor in negotiations, according to Mannix. Cleveland is pushing for Los Angeles to include draft capital, such as the rights to a future first-round swap or a first-round pick outright. As of now, the Clippers have been adamantly opposed to such an inclusion.
Harden, 36, has been out of the lineup for personal reasons in the last two games. It did not attract much attention until Monday night, when NBA rumors surfaced that the team and the All-Star guard had mutual interest in exploring a trade by Thursday.
The 11-time All-Star and former NBA MVP is owed $39.18 million this season and holds a $42.32 million player option this summer. While the Clippers have played well lately, pushing themselves back into the playoff hunt, there is some belief that Harden’s contract demands and a lack of progress in negotiations with Los Angeles are the driving force behind a potential split.
- James Harden stats: 25.4 PPG, 8.1 APG, 4.8 RPG, 1.3 SPG, 41.9% FG, 34.7% 3PT, 0.15 WS/48
Garland, who turned 26 in January, has only played in 26 games this season due to a lingering toe injury. A two-time All-Star selection, his effectiveness has dropped, and availability has become a growing issue for the Cavaliers. With Donovan Mitchell only under contract control through next season, acquiring Harden would be a path to championship contention for Cleveland.
Of note, the Cavaliers created the financial flexibility to potentially acquire Harden over the weekend by trading De’Andre Hunter to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Keon Ellis and Dennis Schroder. Coincidentally, Harden has been held out of the Clippers lineup since that deal was made.
