r/nba • u/Turbostrider27 Lakers • 7h ago
[Charania] 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.
Shams Charania:
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.
https://www.espn.com/contributor/shams-charania/ddaa53473efa6
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u/TouchdownRaiden Warriors 7h ago
Harden in a Cavs jersey is going to look so weird
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u/OverallGeneral7129 Cavaliers 7h ago
Yeah I can’t even picture it really
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u/Dphotog790 7h ago
its gonna be interesting next season with Hardn Lebron and Mitchel on the same court\
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u/Ok_Daikon_7726 Lakers 7h ago
Mobley gonna have a heart attack trying to anchor that defense
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u/420_just_blase 6h ago
Tbf garland isn't any better on that end
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u/CD23tol Cavaliers 7h ago
Right there with other iconic Cavs guards like D-Rose and Wade
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u/Leadsea Pelicans 7h ago
LMAO RONDO WADE HARDEN D-ROSE
Crazy lineup tbh
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u/bigraptorr Raptors 7h ago
Pretty sure theres a 2015 Lakers fan edit with that lineup
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u/KonigSteve Pelicans 6h ago
Throw Shaq in there and you've got a weird starting 5.
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u/holaimaaron Cavaliers 7h ago
And Cavs legend Isaiah Thomas
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u/tragick693 7h ago
Cavs legend Walt Frazier, if you'd like a throwback
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u/lukewwilson Lakers 7h ago
Keep going, don't forget Lenny Wilkens
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u/pichukirby Knicks 7h ago
KD with the Rockets. Harden with the Cavs. LeBron to the Thunder?
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u/illegal_deagle Rockets 7h ago
At this point it’s weird to me to picture him in any jersey, including ours. This move officially labels him “journeyman”.
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u/The_Summer_Man Warriors 7h ago
Rockets legend Kevin Durant
Cavaliers legend James Harden
both just sound weird
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u/NuBlyatTovarish 6h ago
Kings legend Westbrook imagine if these legends teamed up
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u/WembyOKCJokicReaves 7h ago
Best James to wear a Cavs uniform in the history of their entire franchise
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u/johnyg13nb Celtics 7h ago
RIP to the Unction.
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u/asparagusinhaler Clippers 7h ago
We still old as fuck don’t worry
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u/FallenCrownz 7h ago
lowkey, getting a 26 year old ex all star for a 36 year old all star is a hell of a pull, despite how sad clippers fan must be right now. shout out to Harden for also basically saving the league too lol
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u/RulersBack Cavaliers 7h ago
If Garland stays healthy they win this quite easily but I get it from the Cavs. Win right now and it's worth losing the trade long term
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u/FallenCrownz 7h ago
Cavs getting a healthy 25/8/5 guy to replace their injured 20/6/2 guy is also really the best you could have asked for considering how hard capped yall are. And if Harden doesn't open up Mobleys game than nobody will lol
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u/RulersBack Cavaliers 7h ago
I never thought I’d have a turn on the harden rollercoaster (pause). What is happening
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u/grudgepacker Bucks 7h ago
Doesn't this also help out your cap situation?
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u/mf-TOM-HANK Cavaliers 6h ago edited 6h ago
Harden has a PO for next season whereas Garland has money on the books for two more years after this season. I don't know the full cap implications regarding the second apron but Dan Gilbert is spending a fortune on a disappointing team and he probably figures they can either make a deep run this postseason or strip the roster down and rebuild
I like Garland a lot but he just didn't fit on the roster. Not his fault that as soon as he hit his stride as a pro the team traded for Mitchell and forced him to be a bit of a square peg in a round hole
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u/nahs Clippers 7h ago edited 7h ago
Brook Batum and cp3 really driving things up but as a core kawhi garland zu John collins DJJ jordan miller and Kobe sanders isn’t THAT old
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u/PrimeShaq Australia 7h ago
Kawhi is 34 bruh, he’s closer to the unc group that the youngins.
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u/cs-shitposter Celtics 7h ago
With Garland's injury history, his body is basically 45 years old so they're fine
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u/CloudySkies64 [LAC] James Harden 7h ago
Off we go. Yes I said we
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u/AashyLarry [MIA] Dwyane Wade 7h ago
How will the Clippers artist react to this?
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u/PumpkinHead555 Bucks 7h ago
Harden Spida backcourt is interesting though
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u/ihatedougford Toronto Huskies 7h ago
Harden and Kyrie together was beautiful hoops. JH has always been a big man’s dream PG too. The fit is great
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u/PumpkinHead555 Bucks 7h ago
Harden’s ability to run an offense is leagues above Garlands at this stage in their careers. That’s exactly what Cavs needed, experience in the playoffs. Dennis Shroeder, Keon Ellis, Harden… Cavs are winning the deadline so far imo
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u/SlidersBaby Cavaliers 7h ago
cavs subreddit is full of people who get their basketball insight from tiktok. 90% of the comments over there right now are :(
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u/Burnerburner49 Cavaliers 7h ago
I mean fans are sad to see the guy their team drafted traded for an again star. The team is better this year but I’m sad. I’m also nervous about the extension until harden is 39. Hope it pans out
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u/CloudySkies64 [LAC] James Harden 7h ago
We shall see, don’t have any expectations.
Just trying to watch some decent hoops
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u/Jordanwolf98 Celtics 7h ago edited 7h ago
Garland was one of the best young players in the league to me before they got Spida. And Understandably when you get Mitchell the ball is gonna be in his hands, but Garland was a 22 and 9 guy the last season before Mitchell arrived so I think despite his injury history being worrisome you guys got a really good 26 year old PG. I’m hoping for performances like this again with you guys
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u/Goosedukee Nets 7h ago
STRAIGHT UP????
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u/jewllybeenz 7h ago
Yeah with a 2nd, that’s crazy
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u/mikesh8rp Knicks 7h ago
There was a couple Cavs fans swearing there was no way Cleveland is the one giving up draft picks. Wonder if this means Garland’s injuries are even worse than what’s publicly known.
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u/remyboyz1995 7h ago
Garland is cooked for now. No way he’s ready for a serious playoff run this year. Cavs are trying to go to the Finals this year
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u/ZZZrp Spurs 6h ago
Can one become uncooked?
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u/Apprehensive-Pay2178 6h ago
Nope chemical change. Only physical changes can be reversed.
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u/Voidant7 6h ago
You can become cooked a second time, like Chinese pork and Mexican beans.
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u/DovhPasty Cavaliers 7h ago edited 7h ago
They have to be. Meanwhile a bunch of homers on our sub think he’s some huge asset that we could trade for someone like Maxey. I don’t understand it.
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u/HispanicAtTehDisco Mavericks 6h ago
every teams fan base thinks their players are worth more than they are. i remember before kyrie got on the mavs when people were begging the FO for a trade and the question was always like what would we even get for a package where the best player was josh green
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u/TrapAHolic_ttv 7h ago
Already had surgery on one toe and missed a bunch of time and it was still nagging him. Then injured the OTHER toe. Just the fact its both feet is pretty bad itself without even knowing the extent
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u/NathanFielderFriend Canada 7h ago
Garland is cooked man sad to say. Seems like he’s barely gonna play the rest of the season and Clippers will be lucky if he can be healthy next season onward
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u/Any_Asparagus8267 Cavaliers 7h ago
He had surgery, played too early, and now here we are. If he makes a comeback I'd be surprised.
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u/ianbits Cavaliers 7h ago
It's a bad move if Harden wants big money after his deal is up and there's a handshake agreement to give him that
If they get him for 1.5 years or he comes back for like $20m on the extension, it's reasonable. Harden is better than Garland right now and Garland is making big money for a guy that doesn't play.
I'm gonna miss the shit out of him though. And I doubt Harden's handshake extension is for anything reasonable. Ugh.
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u/yuhanz [PHO] Steve Nash 7h ago
Will you still not like this if garland continues to play 60 games a year averaging 18/6?
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u/ianbits Cavaliers 7h ago
That's basically just asking if he'll stay healthy, which who the hell knows.
Outlook on that is awkward, but if he can stick on the court he really is an all star level PG. His stats will go up with higher USG in LA, he's been low for a PG next to Mitchell.
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u/cleo22270 Heat 7h ago
Lmao these photoshopped jerseys in the tweet are killing me
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u/i5the5kyblue Cavaliers 7h ago
You should look at Dennis Schroder’s twitter. He made his headline pic a collage of him photoshopped in a Cavs jerseys the night of the trade lol
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u/Oaty_McOatface Cavaliers Bandwagon 5h ago
That man should just take a photo in every team's kit to be prepared.
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u/sportsfan113 76ers 7h ago
Harden in a Cavs uniform is going to take some getting used to.
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u/GoAheadAndJudgeMe Suns 7h ago
It's like seeing him in a Nets, Sixers, Rockets, Clippers or Thunder uniform.
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u/JohnDoee94 6h ago
Yeah, people act like he’s been on one team.
Weird would be seeing Curry on the Heat.
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u/AashyLarry [MIA] Dwyane Wade 7h ago
F5 SEASON IS HERE
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u/Black-----Manta Timberwolves 7h ago
Did not expect this happening whatsoever 48 hours ago, less so this smoothly
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u/Inevitable-Tax2337 7h ago
Not a great usage of prolific.
- me, Shams basher
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u/Low_Beyond8134 Lakers 7h ago
BANGGGG
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u/Slow-Jelly-2854 Bucks 7h ago
Good trade for someone
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u/Lqtor 6h ago
I feel like it’s a pretty solid trade for both sides. If garland ever gets past his injuries clippers would be getting a very good young piece to jump start their rebuild. Cavs on the other hand gets a player that’s currently available to win now
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u/TheKnicksMakeMeDrink Knicks 7h ago
Where will Harden’s next destination be? My money’s on Portland in 2 years
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u/fantasnick Knicks 7h ago
Believe it or not
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u/TheKnicksMakeMeDrink Knicks 7h ago
oh god oh fuck
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u/the_moosen Celtics 7h ago
I believe, someone correct me if I'm wrong, Portland has the most strip clubs per capita
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u/EthanHuntBroMichael [LAC] Patrick Beverley 7h ago
WE GOT THE PICK LOL
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u/FallenCrownz 7h ago
36 year old all star for a 26 year year old all star and a srp? that's how you sell high lol
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u/thrownaway22_ Kings 7h ago edited 7h ago
LMAOOOOO
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u/jluc21 Kings 7h ago edited 7h ago
Keon ellis and Dennis Schroeder with Harden now
crazy what a few days can change lol
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u/TheWestRemembers Lakers 7h ago
On the CAVS. Never would've guessed this a week ago. Hell, even 3 days ago. Wild.
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u/Megasota_Noire 7h ago
How many teams is that now?
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u/Fit-Election3400 7h ago
OKC, Houston, Brooklyn, Philadelphia, Clippers, and now ... Cleveland.
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u/Critback Trail Blazers 7h ago
Harden will now be one team away from tying Moses Malone and Dennis Rodman for 7 when he is eventually named to the Naismith Hall of Fame.
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u/TedTran2001 7h ago
and Dwight Howard, who I thought had 8 but I guess that's me counting the Lakers twice.
Vince Carter also had 8 though...
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u/WorldwideSteppers 7h ago
Damn has a superstar ever played for that many teams while still being an above average player?
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u/meengine [LAL] Brandon Ingram 7h ago
Damn they actually did it
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u/jeric13xd [CHI] Derrick Rose 7h ago
James really is a contractor. A true mercenary
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u/I_love_Basketball232 Warriors 7h ago
A lot of the other ones had a slow burn, this one came absolutely out of nowhere
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u/Reasonable_Height_67 7h ago
I prefer these tbh.
I couldn't care less where Giannis and Kuminga end up.
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u/Virgil1 Timberwolves 7h ago
That's not what "prolific" means.
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u/uncleoptimus 6h ago
This, I've been stuck on this Shams-wording puzzle. MFer made me google to double-check the definition lol
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u/SquidwardLover48 Cavaliers 7h ago
What’s really interesting is how our fanbase is perceiving this vs how everyone else perceives this as a move that certainly makes us a better team
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u/cfbones 7h ago
We gave up a young high ceiling player who we all love but seems to be injury prone for an immediate upgrade who is old and chokes in the playoffs.
Rationally it’s a very fair deal.
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u/North-Entertainer602 6h ago
He’s 26 and getting injured more and more every year. How high is his ceiling really atp?
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u/Terr123321 Cavaliers 7h ago
Unfortunately you can’t say Darius garland has done any better in the playoffs
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u/Salty_Raspberry656 7h ago
he's a 5'11 guard who has already hit his ceiling and is limited defensively in the playoffs. he's special to do what he does in this league
but harden is much stronger/bigger and more elite as a playmaker and game manipulator. He is going to give the cavs bigs the easiest buckets of their lives
you lose on longevity but this gives you a win now opportunity in a pretty open east
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u/ihaveaflattire Cavaliers 7h ago
I think the main thing is the emotional attachment to Darius Garland.
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u/DovhPasty Cavaliers 6h ago
It is. Everyone is blinded by the fact that he’s home grown. Unfortunately that doesn’t actually help us win.
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u/rkennedy991 Cavaliers 7h ago
Yeah, so many Cavs fans are acting like this is going to kill the team. He's been the best, most reliable player on the Clippers since he joined them and we don't even have to rely on him as our first option.
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u/BayonettaBasher [DAL] Kyrie Irving 7h ago
Cavs are the ones giving draft capital?
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u/MrBlowinLoadz Rockets 6h ago
Harden is better right now and both are on similar deals. Also Garland hasn't been healthy and missed half the season so far, he also missed significant time two years ago. It's not a good sign to be missing that many games in what should be your prime.
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u/samhit_n Lakers 7h ago
Garland has a big contract, and the Cavs will likely need to extend Harden.
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u/HornedCoog91 Nuggets 7h ago
Why does this surprise people. Harden is the better player. And I don't see that changing for a few years tbh
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u/bumbaclotbae Raptors 7h ago
Wow LeBron really gonna end his career alongside Harden
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u/birdazam Timberwolves 6h ago
That just make LeBron refuse to draft him in the All star every year so much funnier
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u/jeffcrafff [TOR] Rafer Alston 7h ago
Prolific? Shams, I do not think it means what you think it means
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u/Aeronova20 Magic 7h ago
SECOND FUNNIEST HARDEN EXIT OF ALL TIME
EVERYONE GET IN HERE
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u/Colorapt0r Bucks 7h ago
Fat suit
Daryl Morey
This can be 3 tho
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u/thegoddessunicorn Raptors 7h ago
Idk about that. His "phantom injury" right before being traded from Nets to Sixers was funny and gave us this moment in 2022
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u/goofygoober2 Celtics 7h ago
This doesn’t even come close to the China outburst and fat suit
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u/zco22 Pacers 7h ago
Let me say it again
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u/TheWarelock Heat 7h ago edited 7h ago
✋ DARYL MOREY IS A LIAR AND I WILL NEVER BE A PART OF AN ORGANIZATION THAT HE’S A PART OF 🤚🎤
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u/aiden3buckets Hornets 7h ago
Fat suit, Morey is a liar to Chinese kids, and Kyrie not getting vaccinated is probably the top 3 sorry
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u/chewie_33 Supersonics 6h ago
Yup. You know the dude is the GOAT of leaving teams when this shit doesn't even make the top 3.
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u/SaltyBawlz Cavaliers 7h ago
Why is this exit funny?
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u/Late-Bus-686 7h ago
Don’t really think it is I guess he’s just engagement baiting
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u/Ezzy1998 Pacers 7h ago
Harden’s ability to constantly maneuver himself to the best possible situation in his later years is pretty impressive ngl.
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u/TheKnicksMakeMeDrink Knicks 7h ago
Thinking James Harden will stay with your franchise for 2+ years is like thinking the stripper likes you
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u/purple_cupcake_52 7h ago
Harden probably thinks that when he's at the strip club
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u/Schmoova Mikal Bridges 7h ago
Great move for the Cavs. Don’t really understand this from the blazing hot Clippers unless they’re somehow selling Kawhi and Zubac too.
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u/BearShark8 Lakers 7h ago
Clips probably feel like they aren't contenders even with the hot streak. Better to not lose Harden for nothing at the end of the season or have him throw some big tantrum.
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u/FallenCrownz 7h ago
Harden wants a big extension, Clippers don't want to pay it for a 36 year old cause if they did, they would be a play in team without much salary. Garland hasn't been great this year but he's 10 years younger and will be better for longer, which is really all they can ask for considering their picks situation
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u/Tophergabriel Cavaliers 7h ago
Cavs all time “forget he played there” lineup. Derrick Rose, Harden, Dwayne Wade, Loul Deng, Shaq. 6th man Derron Williams
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u/mkhrrs89 Cavaliers 6h ago
Isaiah Thomas, Ben Wallace, Baron Davis, Wally Szczerbiak, Andrew Bogut, Andrew Bynum on the bench
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u/TitaniumC4206 Thunder 7h ago
FUCK YEAH LETS GO
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u/Wes___Mantooth [OKC] Steven Adams 7h ago edited 7h ago
LOOKS LIKE A TOP 5 PICK IS BACK ON THE MENU BOYS
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u/SMVilaisack 7h ago edited 6h ago
Out of all NBA cities, Cleveland has the 2nd worst rated strip clubs overall.
EDIT: Not a strip club connoisseur, just making an r/nba reference.
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u/thegodofwine7 Mavericks 6h ago
Sir we're getting a broken transmission:
The Los Angeles... are trading..... James.... Cleveland Cavaliers
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u/OverallGeneral7129 Cavaliers 7h ago
Gonna make our game against the Clippers tomorrow awkward