Report: Clippers trading Harden to Cavs for Garland, 2nd-rounder
The Los Angeles Clippers are sending guard James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Darius Garland and a second-round pick, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania.
The second-rounder going to the Clippers is for this year, reports Kelly Iko of Yahoo Sports.
Harden denied reports that he requested a trade while reflecting on the deal with ESPN's Ramona Shelburne. He said he's thankful for his two-and-a-half-year stint with L.A.
"In life, not even just basketball, when things don't work out, there are ways to end things in relationships without having to crack each other," Harden told Shelburne. "O.K., maybe we just don't see a future with each other. Maybe we just outgrew each other, whatever the case may be.
"I feel like other situations weren't like that. And that's why I can respect (the front office and coach Tyronn Lue) because they didn't put me in a weird position as much as everybody tried to make it like that."
The former MVP is recording 25.4 points per game this season, his best mark in the last seven campaigns. Harden was also leading the Clippers with 8.1 assists while contributing 4.8 rebounds per contest. However, he and the team reportedly began discussing trade possibilities in recent days and the Cavaliers quickly emerged as a potential destination.
Harden's arrival provides the Cavaliers with a more experienced backcourt facilitator next to Donovan Mitchell. He's also an ideal pick-and-roll fit next to bigs Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley. He'll look to recreate the success with them that he's had playing alongside other established centers, including Ivica Zubac and Joel Embiid.
The 11-time All-Star is optimistic about the Cavaliers' chances in the East but said he was also happy to help the Clippers get a valuable return for him.
"I wanted them to actually have a chance to rebuild and get some draft capital," he told Shelburne. "In Cleveland, 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."
The 36-year-old won't have to wait long to return to the Intuit Dome as a member of the Cavs. The two sides square off Wednesday in L.A., potentially marking Harden's debut with Cleveland.
Garland leaves Cleveland seven years after the franchise drafted him fifth overall. The 26-year-old is averaging 18 points and 6.9 assists but has missed time due to various injuries this season. He's currently out with a toe sprain that sidelined him for Cleveland's last nine contests.