Reports: Cavs acquire James Harden from Clippers for Darius Garland

Field Level Media
04 Feb 2026, 07:55 GMT+10

(Photo credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images)

The Cavaliers and Clippers have finalized a trade that sends 11-time All-Star James Harden to Cleveland, with Darius Garland and a second-round pick going to Los Angeles, ESPN and The Athletic both reported Tuesday.

Harden, 36, was held out of the Clippers' lineup the last two games for what the team labeled personal reasons.

The former NBA MVP and three-time scoring champ is averaging 25.4 points, 8.1 assists and 4.8 rebounds in 44 games this season, his 17th in the NBA.

Harden could block any trade because he's technically under contract for just this season, which requires his approval for the swap. The second year of his two-year, $81.5 million deal is a player option, which isn't fully guaranteed.

Garland, 26, has been sidelined since Jan. 14 with a Grade 1 right toe sprain.

The two-time All-Star is averaging 18.0 points and 6.9 assists over 26 games this season. He is in the third year of a five-year, $197.2 million contract.

The Cavaliers (30-21) are in contention in the Eastern Conference, one of four teams with either 30 or 31 wins behind first-place Detroit (36-12), which explains the desire to make a big move by acquiring Harden.

The Clippers, 23-26, remain in play-in contention in the West, currently in ninth place.

The NBA trade deadline is Thursday at 3 p.m. ET.

--Field Level Media

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to BC Post.

More Information

International

Section

Teen braves cold waters off West Australian coast to get help, save family

PERTH, Western Australia: A 13-year-old boy swam for four hours to get help off the coast of Western Australia in cold and choppy waters...

Life in prison for man who tried to shoot Trump on Florida golf course

FORT PIERCE, Florida: A man who attempted to assassinate then-presidential candidate Donald Trump on a Florida golf course on September...

Bezos-owned Washington Post slashes jobs, shrinks global coverage

WASHINGTON, D.C.: One of America's most influential newspapers is undergoing a dramatic contraction, as The Washington Post began layoffs...

UK seeks answers after Air India Dreamliner fuel switch concern

NEW DELHI, India: British aviation regulators are seeking answers from Air India after a Boeing 787 Dreamliner departed London despite...

Mexicans get jitters as Trump flexes muscles across Americas

FBI Director Kash Patel's announcement on January 23 regarding the arrest of Canadian drug trafficker Ryan Wedding in Mexico led to...

10 years jail to Bangladesh’s ex-PM Hasina, UK lawmaker niece

DHAKA, Bangladesh: Bangladesh's former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her niece, Tulip Siddiq, a British lawmaker, were sentenced...

Sports

Section

Heat look to rebound from Boston collapse against Wizards

(Photo credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images) After a pair of disappointing results, the Miami Heat will travel to face the undermanned...

Report: Lakers signing former first-round pick Kobe Bufkin to 2-year deal

(Photo credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images) The Los Angeles Lakers are signing guard Kobe Bufkin, a former first-round pick, to a...

US Ambassador hails cricket's bright future in America; thanks ICC, Chairman Jay Shah after attending India vs USA T20 WC match

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], February 8 (ANI): US Ambassador Sergio Gor thanked the International Cricket Council (ICC) and its chairman...