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Cavaliers Acquire James Harden in Blockbuster Trade

2/4/2026

Summary

Cavaliers Acquire Harden

The Cleveland Cavaliers of the NBA traded Darius Garland and a 2026 second-round pick to the Los Angeles Clippers for James Harden, an 11-time All-Star.
Harden averages 25.4 points and 8.1 assists this season.
He joins the Cavaliers to boost playoff chances as Cleveland sits fifth in the East.
Darius Garland moves to the Los Angeles Clippers as a younger foundational piece ahead of the February 5 trade deadline.

Summary

Cavaliers Pursue Trades

The Cavaliers are pursuing high-profile trades before the February 5 deadline.
They are in talks with the Los Angeles Clippers to acquire James Harden (Clippers guard) and swap him for Darius Garland (Cleveland Cavaliers guard).
The Cavaliers have discussed Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks).
The Cavaliers discussed Anthony Davis (Dallas Mavericks target) with the Mavericks.
The Cavaliers traded De'Andre Hunter for Dennis Schröder and Keon Ellis to clear salary cap space.

History

Historical Context

The NBA's trade deadline, established on February 7, 2019, has reshaped team strategies, exemplified by the Cleveland Cavaliers' trades to optimize salary cap space for playoff contention. This trend of strategic player acquisitions continues as the Cavaliers pursue 11-time All-Star James Harden, reflecting the league's ongoing evolution towards competitive balance and roster optimization amid a "parity era" that began in 2019.

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Cavaliers Acquire Harden

The Cleveland Cavaliers of the NBA traded Darius Garland and a 2026 second-round pick to the Los Angeles Clippers for James Harden, an 11-time All-Star.
Harden averages 25.4 points and 8.1 assists this season.
He joins the Cavaliers to boost playoff chances as Cleveland sits fifth in the East.
Darius Garland moves to the Los Angeles Clippers as a younger foundational piece ahead of the February 5 trade deadline.

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