Clippers trade James Harden for Cavaliers' Darius Garland: Instant reactions
- - Clippers trade James Harden for Cavaliers' Darius Garland: Instant reactions
Marcus D. Smith, USA TODAY February 3, 2026 at 5:59 PM
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The Los Angeles Clippers and the Cleveland Cavaliers agree to a trade that would send former MVP James Harden to Cleveland, while Darius Garland heads to Southern California.
The trade on Tuesday was first reported by ESPN's Shams Charania. Cleveland becomes the sixth team in Harden's 17-year career.
Harden, who averages 25.4 points, 8.1 assists and 4.8 rebounds, gives Cleveland another scoring option for the remainder of the regular-season. After all, he is No. 9 all-time in NBA scoring history with 28,805 points. For what it's worth, he's No. 12 all-time in assists.
The Cavaliers acquire a combo guard in Harden who can play shooting guard and run a team as a point guard. He's played with superstars his entire career and has had success, especially in the regular season.
Having played with an array of stars like Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Joel Embiid, Kyrie Irving and Chris Paul throughout his 17-year NBA career, he should have no issue gelling with Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell.
Harden, who stands at 6-foot-5, 220 pounds, gives Cleveland more size in their backcourt, a difference from Garland's 6-foot-1, 192-pound frame.
He should fit right in with Cleveland, who has been looking for a consistent secondary scorer after Mitchell. They happened to get one of the best offensive players in the game's history.
Harden joins the team as someone who control an offense. He's a constant scoring threat whether via penetration or knocking down perimeter shots. He's second all-time in NBA history with 3,310 3-pointers made.
Harden has been successful in his career when paired with other shooters or an athletic big who can set screens and finish above the rim, an archetype that matches both Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley.
With the Cavaliers sitting at No. 5 in the Eastern Conference standings with a 30-21 record, Harden's addition gives them someone who can add a veteran presence and playoff experience.
On the receiving end of the trade are the Clippers who not only get a scorer at the point guard, right after losing one, but they also get younger in the process. Garland, who turned 26 in January, gives the team in Inglewood an 18 point-per-game scorer who turns out nearly seven assists per game this season.
The Clippers started the season with a 6-21 record by Dec. 18, and looked like they were headed towards the lottery with the Oklahoma City Thunder owning their pick.
But since then, the Clippers have turned their season around, having won 17 of their last 22 games. They now sit at the No. 9 spot in the Western Conference standings, which would qualify them for a NBA Play-in Tournament berth.
Garland can help recently named All-Star Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers creep into a potential playoff-berth by reaching the No. 6-spot or even better. They have a long way to go, as they stand seven games behind the No. 6-best Minnesota Timberwolves. But it's not entirely impossible.
The Kawhi Leonard-era isn't over just yet with the Clippers, this is just the latest iteration. From Paul George to Harden, now Garland attempts to help bring the Clippers over the hump and a chance to make and win their first ever NBA championship.
See how others are reacting to the NBA news:
Oct. 26: The Brooklyn Nets' Michael Porter Jr. dunks in front of the San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama at Frost Bank Center.
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1 / 8Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponentsOct. 26: The Dallas Mavericks' Cooper Flagg dunks the ball past the Toronto Raptors' Sandro Mamukelashvili at the American Airlines Center.
More NBA trade news: Chicago Bulls agree to trade Nikola Vucevic to the Boston Celtics
Sports world, fans react to Harden-Garland trade:
See immediate reactions and feedback from the NBA world, from NBA experts and insiders to fans of the game.
Experts and insiders:
Take a look at what some of the NBA experts and pundits had to say about the Harden trade.
A few weeks ago James Harden was waxing poetic about his time in LA, telling ESPN how “blessed” he’d felt to play in his hometown. I believe he was genuine in those sentiments. But this is a business decision for all involved. Garland is 10 years younger and gives the Clippers… https://t.co/aY8fqeeOaX
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) February 4, 2026
By targeting Cleveland as his next destination, James Harden had to waive almost all of his $2.3 million trade bonus. He wanted the Cavaliers, like he wanted the Clippers... like he wanted the Sixers... It's honestly impressive this man keeps pointing at a team and getting there. https://t.co/SpOZrKhdTz
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) February 4, 2026
Here are the salaries in the Cleveland/LAC trade:To ClevelandJames Harden: $39.2M, $42.3M ($13.3M GTY)Note: 2026-27 is a player option. If Harden opts-in, the contract is not guaranteed until 7/11To LA ClippersDarius Garland: $39.5M, $42.2M, $44.9M
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) February 4, 2026
“I would not trade Darius Garland for James Harden under any circumstances. You know why?… All this guy does is quit on teams and fold in the playoffs.”@getnickwright sounds off about James Harden: pic.twitter.com/GsP6pZINuv
— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) February 3, 2026
I enjoyed covering James Harden during his time with the Clippers.On multiple occasions he stated his desire to finish his career in his hometown of Los Angeles. But the business side of things didn’t line up that way.Should be an interest night at Intuit Dome tomorrow with…
— Joey Linn (@joeylinn_) February 4, 2026
Harden x Spida 😤 This new duo in Cleveland 🔥 pic.twitter.com/rWbX8akhrD
— ESPN (@espn) February 4, 2026
NBA, sports fans around the world:
Check out these reactions from various sports fans around the world.
Cavs got an old, washed James HardenClippers got a 26 year old who still isn't in his primeWe ALL know who won https://t.co/OzYMLZTz8g
— Trey Park, College Basketball Insider (@tp13enthusiast) February 4, 2026
So next season Cavs gonna have James Harden, LeBron James, and Donovan Mitchell https://t.co/4oXRPhs6sA
— Blake / Tech2000 💿 (@ucegotthejuce) February 4, 2026
As a long time James Harden hater and day 1 Darius Garland fan, I will simply never recover from this. I hate everything. https://t.co/kJ9xTIubIQ
— Kayley (@kayleyk) February 4, 2026
Dear James Harden, from the night you got traded here it’s been an absolute honor to witness you play on this team. Never sat out any games, never complained, gave it 100%. I appreciate everything you’ve done for this team. Thank You and Good luck in Cleveland GOAT 😭😭🙏🏾🙏🏾❤️❤️1️⃣ pic.twitter.com/5nvRh8VuyL
— AMB🫀 (@AMBGotAura) February 4, 2026
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: James Harden, Darius Garland trade: Reactions to Clippers-Cavs deal
Source: “AOL Sports”
