The Los Angeles Clippers traded guard James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers for guard Darius Garland and a second round pick
The Los Angeles Clippers traded guard James Harden to the Cleveland in exchange for 26-year-old guard Darius Garland and a 2026 second-round pick, Shams Charania of ESPN reported. This trade comes after reports initially came out Feb 2. that Harden and the Clippers were trying to find a deal ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline.
Across 195 games with the Clippers, Harden averaged 21.1 PPG, 8.5 APG and 5.3 RPG, was an All-Star in 2024-25 and helped lead the Clippers to the playoffs the previous two seasons, but lost in the first round each time.
“At the end of the day, it is a business, and I think both sides got what they wanted, are in a great place and are very happy,” Harden said in an interview with ESPN. “I’m excited about Cleveland. I’m still trying to chase my first championship and do whatever it takes to win.”
BREAKING: The Los Angeles Clippers are trading James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Darius Garland and a second-round pick, sources tell ESPN. Prolific swap of the star point guards. pic.twitter.com/IHhhhabJnX
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 4, 2026
Garland was an All-Star in the 2024-25 season, but has seen limited playing time this season due to multiple toe injuries. His most recent injury is a grade one sprain in his right big toe that has kept Garland out of action since Jan. 14.
On the season, Garland is averaging 18.0 PPG, 6.9 APG and 2.4 RPG in 26 games for Cleveland. Garland is in the midst of a five-year, $197 million contract, so the Clippers will pay him the remainder of his $39 million this season, $42 million next season and $44 million in the 2027-28 season.
Interesting fact:
Winston and Darius Garland become the 2nd father-son duo to play for the Clippers (Doc and Austin Rivers) pic.twitter.com/wrmjEM7l96
— LA Clippers Muse (@LAClippersMuse) February 4, 2026
Harden — who has a history of requesting trades and will now have played for five teams since the 2020-21 season — said he did not request a trade from the Clippers.
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“That wasn’t the case at all,” Harden said. “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. ‘OK, 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 our situations weren’t like that.”
The Clippers’ next game is tonight against the Cavaliers at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif.