TRADE REACTION: Cleveland Cavaliers send Darius Garland & a pick to LA Clippers for James Harden
The LA Clippers have traded 11-time All-Star guard James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers for guard Darius Garland and a second-round pick, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania on Tuesday.
Harden effectively had veto power over any trade because of the nature of his contract. He worked through his exit with the Clippers (23-26) over the past few days, resulting in an outcome both sides were happy with. It’s a win-now championship opportunity for Harden, who is playing at a high level at age 36, and the Clippers get a two-time All-Star in Garland who, at age 26, can help now and in the future.
Harden told ESPN late Tuesday night that he didn’t want to feel like he was “holding the Clippers up in their future.”
“I wanted them to actually have a chance to rebuild and get some draft capital,” Harden said, adding that he was excited to join the Cavaliers because “I see an opportunity to win in the East. They got a very good team, coaching staff, all of the above. So as much as I wanted to stay in L.A. and give it a go, I’ve never won one before. As a basketball mind, I think we have a bit better chance.” | https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/47820850/clippers-deal-james-harden-cavs-land-darius-garland
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47 Comments
Cavs don‘t wanna melt at the playoffs so they took … Harden?! 🙄👎
Sorry that Darius had to go but, he's always hurt. Just like Anthony Davis is. We are cool on A.D. 😂 Evan & Jarrett are usually always healthy. Jarrett played all 82 games last season & Evan was the Defense player of the year. I don't we need to make anymore moves at this time.I like the Harden trade.
Harden great player 1st ballot hall of famer even great dude durable … but his play style isnt conducive of winning meaningful games… he will have good moments in the regular season yes but he’s also will have moments where he makes you want to tear your hair out with the decision making. Cleveland great fan base , I’ll be rooting for y’all !
I didn’t like it at first either but a few things changed my mind. In the playoffs you need something that is valuable to your team when your shot isn’t falling as it’s not gonna fall every night. Darius has nothing to offer beyond his 3 falling. He’s short and gets stuffed at the rim, he can’t play defense, and isn’t an elite playmaker for others. Harden is taller and better rebounder, is an elite playmaker especially getting the most out of his big men. He also gets to the foul line at will. Yes his defense isn’t great but he’s available to play unlike Garland and Cavs think the upside to have a guy who can bring leadership, ball handling, play making, and rebounding even when/if his shot isn’t falling. You absolutely need that in the playoffs when defenses tighten up and the game slows down.
This is such a awful trade. We did this to dump money. It’s not even gonna fit with the style of play and if it’s true that Donovan wanted this, I think we may have to start asking ourselves if Donovan Mitchell really knows how to win. lol
Dumps money and gives us a solid two or three more years of finals contention. I’m sure LeBron comes back next year. Going all in.
You guys do understand technically the cavs are smaller now lol
I'm celebrating!!!!
DARRIUS GARLAND IS GONE 😁 😂 😀
Harden gonna open up our shooting watch and put pressure on opposing defenses making it impossible to stop us on offense oh and help close out them close games so it not all on Mitchell everytime
I'm of the belief that the Cavs saw they were not extending DG and with his health, he might be retired! Harden might play longer from this point forward!
Questioning if he is a Team guy? What a joke. These guys have not followed Hardens career. They just push the same tired and played out narratives.
Everywhere Harden has went, his teammates have loved him. He was the leader of the clippers the past two seasons. He is a total team guy – perfectly fine adjusting his game to raise his teammates. He’s went from scorer to facilitator and back whenever needed. Quit the narratives. You are losing credibility
I said this while he was in Houston and i will say it again…he will never win a championship unless he start playing defense. Now cleveland was dum enough to make this trade and they really think they will contend? Yall really think we going get a championship this year? James Harden is 36 years old and yall believe we gonna win something in the next 3 years? Ledron cant even win a ring after turned 36 and i dont even want to count that last one he won in LA because that was a weird time for everyone. This trade definitely set the cavs back by a lot and i wouldnt be surprised if Harden, Mitchell, and Mobley request a trade within the next 3 years. Smh i hope Garland ball out in LA
You can't be serious about winning a championship if you're going to fill up your roster with a bunch of old broken down players in today's NBA.
Beard is a baller. plays all the time, will fit right in with cavs…
Why are you guys only talking about Harden ? We did make another trade
The mental gymnastics here to like the move is pretty rich. Understand trading DG in a move that prioritizes this year, but JAMES HARDEN? He has choked in the playoffs for 15 straight years
Whoever thinks Koby’s the problem is on crack. He might be one of the best GM’s in the league.
I felt the exact same way as Zac Jackson. At first, no way, but considering Garland's injury history. And terrible rehab and durability. I like it
Two undersized ball hog guards that dont defend are injury prone and disappear in the playoffs.
Not to mention, these two guards are destroying the salary cap for Cleveland. Harden is 35 with 2 more seasons that no other team will be willing to pick up
With two ball hogs, the only way other players will score is off of rebounds
Harden has plenty of positives. But man 36 and a drama queen.
This is going to be interesting.
Anthony Davis is more injury prone than Darius Garland. Do not trade for him.
I am so glad jelly donut cotton ball Garland is gone. His game was nothing special and didn't do squat in the playoffs
Garland might be injury prone during the playoffs, but at least he’ll play when he’s healthy while Harden might say “I don’t feel like it tonight” out of the blue and down a player, or be a ghost when he’s healthy in the playoffs 🤡🤡🤡
I’m nervous Harden won’t play team ball. Will he be about himself which what worries me the most. Every talks about him passing to bigs and making the bigs better but, I think every game I’ve seen from harden he rarely passes. He needs to learn to share the ball and be a team player if he wants to win a ship. I hope I’m wrong but, something tells me this will be the downfall for cle
I do not want AD
Dont like move Harden doesn't improve this team. We will be bounce in the first rd yet again. Harden is chock artist in the playoffs. Plays no defense and is useless if not making shouts. Harden is only concern with his money and playing for every team in the NBA
Nobody wants street clothes
When will we see Harden? Do we know yet?
I would not want Davis, talk about lack of durability, no way!
Harden is toxic and only cares about his next contract. This guy has quit on every team he has played for and birds Bridges everywhere. I understand wanting to trade Garland if you feel he will never be healthy but damn we could do better than giving away a pick and Garland for this dude
Harden will look great for 6 months before asking for another trade
Some fans hate Garland so much that they're happy about trading for anyone even if it doesn't make sense. Yes Garland had injuries and I wasn't against trading him, but this was the wrong trade. They should have gotten another guard that can play off ball or some more size on the wing. Plus next year's draft is loaded, they should have gotten some guaranteed first round picks for Garland.
They could have gotten away with CPJ or Schruder at point next to Mitchell if they got some more size.
They weren't going to win it all with Garland and they're not going to with Harden this year but some people hate DG so much they're blinded by this trade. I hope DG ball out in LA to show this team a lesson.
Mitchell and or Harden will be requesting a trade by this time next season and Koby Altman will be given his walking papers. Just watch. I hope I'm wrong, we'll see.
anthony davis!? wow we are gonna suck if cavs trade for him
I think this trade is to go for the championship next two years and they wont resign Mitchell. A 30+6'2 high milage athletic guard doesnt age well. They will sign and trade him and retool around Mobley and Tyson.
I like D.G. but those big toe issues don't go away they just linger silently then one wrong move and dammit your sidelined again . Plus D.G. has back issues also not major ones but enough to be a nuisance
Bull dude you need to Change your pants really guy horrible.
So glad to see Darius go, tired of wasting time on players that I know don’t have what it takes or worse can’t even stay healthy. Good by
Harden is another Donavan. On ball scorer. Neither he or Donavan make theor teammates better. Neither can be your number 1 on a championship team. This is about keeping Donavan. Harden will be gone next year. They can only keep 2 of the big 3 and those 2 will be Donavan and Mobley. Either way no chip coming to clev with this lineup.
I've always wondered why you guys don't talk about basketball only football,after today……… i see why 😂
There were not many options at all since the Cavs under performed, did not improve and don’t play with heart, along with not durable, these 2 trades at least give them more durability and scoring, while getting rid of dead weight. So I’m more interested in watching them now than before the trades.
Don’t want AD. We will unfortunately not be able to get anyone better the JA an EM, unfortunately, keep them and see if we can add another PF or Center. Get rid off Ball, I wish Dean W was better.
Disgusting trade. Traded away a good piece when he's healthy for checks notes locker room toxicity… Great.
"What does Darius do better than James Harden?" For anyone thinking that Harden is a better ball handler or just better at running the offense in general, you're delusional. But this is a lot more about the negatives that are guaranteed to come along with a guy like JH. For all his flaws, Darius has never quit on his team. He has neverade demands of his organization and then wanted out when it didn't go his way. Harden is Toxicity and a lack of accountability incarnate.
Wouldn't touch Davis if it's a 10 foot pull. And getting mobley for gannis? Man I dunno about that.
I would have gave DG a chance for his feet to heal than trade him for 36yr old James Harden who blows up every team he plays for.
I love Zac Jackson on here
Harden misses time pouting. If we hit a losing streak or deny him an extension, we’ll get a beer belly and sitting out for “personal reasons.”