{"id":590178,"date":"2026-02-08T08:54:23","date_gmt":"2026-02-08T08:54:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/590178\/"},"modified":"2026-02-08T08:54:23","modified_gmt":"2026-02-08T08:54:23","slug":"cavaliers-vs-clippers-at-nba-trade-deadline","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/590178\/","title":{"rendered":"Cavaliers vs Clippers at NBA trade deadline"},"content":{"rendered":"

James Harden has sat next to Kawhi Leonard in the Clippers\u2019 locker room ever since he was traded to the team in November 2023. On Wednesday, less than 24 hours after Harden was dealt to the Cavaliers<\/a> in exchange for Darius Garland, his nameplate had already been replaced by Garland\u2019s.<\/p>\n

Garland even had a few possessions by his new locker, including two pairs of shoes and a hat.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Why such a quick turnaround? One day after the blockbuster trade, something very unusual happened: The teams played each other. So, you know, Garland was already in town.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Darius Garland of the Clippers smiles during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Feb. 4 in LA\u2019s Intuit Dome. NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Both Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson and Clippers coach Tyronn Lue used the same word to describe the situation at Intuit Dome: \u201cWeird.\u201d<\/p>\n

Atkinson laughed at the fact that while showing the Cavs film of the Clippers on Wednesday, \u00a0Harden was in many of the shots. So, in essence, while they were scouting the opponent, they were also studying the newest member of their team.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s\u00a0just kinda strange,\u201d Atkinson said, flashing a smile.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Of course, after tipoff, it was business as usual for both teams, with the Cavaliers routing the Clippers, 124\u201391.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Garland was sitting courtside at Wednesday\u2019s game. He met his new teammates. He received an applause from Clippers fans when he was shown on the video board during the game. He spoke to reporters at halftime, saying he\u2019s \u201csuper excited\u201d to be on the Clippers. And after the final buzzer sounded, his former Cavs teammates lined up to give him hugs.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Harden, who had missed the Clippers last two games because of \u201cpersonal reasons,\u201d was not\u00a0at Intuit Dome.\u00a0<\/p>\n

As for Harden, Lue called him \u201ca rock star.\u201d He said Harden thanked him after the trade, calling him \u201cone of the best coaches he had played for.\u201d Harden praised Lue for letting him be himself, which led to him becoming an All-Star last season after not getting that honor the previous two years.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Clippers\u2019 James Harden dribbles the ball during the game against the Nuggets on Jan. 30 at Ball Arena in Denver. NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n

The craziest part of this trade was the timing. Both teams were rolling.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Before Tuesday, the Clippers had gone 17\u20135 following a woeful 6\u201321 start. Similarly, the Cavs had won nine of their last 12 games following a monthlong stretch beginning in late November when they lost 10 of 15 contests.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Both teams are going to have to adjust to their new realities.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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For the Cavs, who are in fourth place in the east, that means figuring out a way to win now with the 36-year-old Harden at the helm. For the Clippers, who are in ninth place in the west, that means they\u2019re shifting toward prioritizing their future with a 26-year-old instead of trying to make waves this season.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Leonard acknowledged he was shocked to hear that Harden was leaving. He first heard news of a possible deal during Monday\u2019s game against Philadelphia. Leonard went from having championship hopes alongside Paul George and Harden, to now being the only member of the \u201cBig Three\u201d remaining on the Clippers.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe know why these guys left and I wish them the best of luck,\u201d said Leonard, who had 25 points,\u00a0seven rebounds and four assists. \u201cI tried to help them stay. But business calls. And like I said before, I respect everything that\u2019s going on.\u201d<\/p>\n

The LA Clippers welcome Darius Garland in the locker room before the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Feb. 4 at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n

When asked if he feels that he, George and Harden have unfinished business considering their time together was hampered by injuries, he didn\u2019t hesitate.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cYou always think you have a chance to win, but it\u2019s hard to say at the time,\u201d Leonard said. \u201cObviously, you need luck in this league with shots, with injuries, with everything. It\u2019s just how it played out. I wanted to try to give it another run, but it didn\u2019t happen that way.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Clippers now have to look forward.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Atkinson called Garland \u201cone of my favorites ever that I coached,\u201d adding that their goodbye was emotional. Lue said he was excited to coach the two-time All-Star, adding that the Clippers could now play at a faster pace. Lue envisions coaching Garland as similar to coaching a young Kyrie Irving<\/a>.<\/p>\n

While Harden has been the picture of consistency this season, playing in 44 of a possible 50 games, Garland has been dealing with toe issues since April. Garland has missed 26 games this season, including his last nine games with the Cavs before the trade.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Clippers\u2019 Darius Garland and Cleveland\u2019s Donovan Mitchell hug it out during the game on Feb 4 at LA\u2019s Intuit Dome. NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n

The Clippers are hoping to get Garland back into the lineup after the All-Star break<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

While Leonard is reeling from the loss of Harden, he\u2019s also embracing what\u2019s next. He called Garland \u201cvery talented,\u201d adding, \u201cI don\u2019t think we\u2019ve seen the best of him yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

And while many believe acquiring Garland was the Clippers\u2019 way of punting the season for the future, Lue believes things won\u2019t necessarily play out that way.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen we get Garland back healthy, we do think we can be a really good team,\u201d Lue said.<\/p>\n

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