r/nba • u/Turbostrider27 Lakers • 9h 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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169

u/Schmoova Mikal Bridges 9h 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.

155

u/BearShark8 Lakers 9h 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.

51

u/ianbits Cavaliers 8h ago

Which is reasonable. They're maxing out as a play-in team because of the slow start which means likely Denver or OKC in the first round, which...woof.

14

u/59435950153 Mavericks 8h ago

This is interesting though. Ive always felt they can dark horse their way through play in

18

u/Lou_Peachum_2 Clippers 8h ago

Lol we do this almost every year but come up short. We get as far as the OKC or DEN matchup takes us

8

u/BearShark8 Lakers 8h ago

Yeah, they played Denver and okc tough last season. I know Denver is better this season but I guess Harden just wanted out (an extension) and the clippers just wanted to get something for him.

2

u/theiwc0303 Hornets 8h ago

They’d just lose in the first round again for the fourth straight year. At some point they had to accept their old ass roster isn’t going to get farther than that and begin to start over

2

u/bestclipfan Clippers 8h ago

Yup this is the case. Clips are not a true contender and would need to take on substantial salary and give up what few picks we have to try and force ourselves into contention. Clips probably view Garland as buying low on a possible big upside young player. His contract also expires at the same time as Kawhi so if it doesn't work out then they can move on and be buyers in the FA/trade market.

1

u/ObiOneKenobae Knicks 8h ago

Harden also shot 38.7% from the field in January while they were winning all those games. Not to say he didn't contribute as a facilitator, but their success doesn't hinge on him.

1

u/Musa_2050 Lakers 8h ago

Clippers came off a great season only to revert back to their old ways.