James Harden now teams up with Donovan Mitchell in Cleveland, while Darius Garland is the main point guard for the LA Clippers, alongside the chance to play with Kawhi Leonard.
James Harden is on the move — again.
The Cleveland Cavaliers acquired the former MVP from the LA Clippers on Wednesday, February 4 (PH time) in exchange for Darius Garland and a second-round pick, league insider Shams Charania reported.
At 36, Harden isn’t slowing down as the 11-time All-Star has been a catalyst for the Clippers’ midseason surge, averaging 25.4 points, 8.4 assists, and 4.8 rebounds while guiding LA to a 17-5 run in 22 games.
Now, he’ll bring that fire to a Cleveland squad already anchored by All-Star Donovan Mitchell, former Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen.
Garland’s seven-year tenure with Cleveland ends as he heads to Los Angeles to team up with former Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard.
Drafted fifth overall in 2019, Garland became a two-time All-Star for the Cavaliers and averaged 18 points and 6.9 assists in 28 games this season.
Cleveland is currently 30-21, sitting fifth in the Eastern Conference.
—
Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.