James Harden traded from Clippers to Cavaliers for Darius Garland: Reports
Harden, an 11-time All-Star, was traded for the fifth time in his career after two and a half seasons at the LA Clippers.
The Cavaliers and Clippers âhave finalised a trade that sends â11-time All-Star James âHarden to Cleveland, with Darius Garland and a second-round pick going to Los Angeles, ESPN and The Athletic both reported late on Tuesday.
Harden, 36, â was held out of the Clippersâ lineup the âlast two games for what the team labelled âpersonal reasons.
The former NBA MVP and three-time scoring champ is averaging 25.4 points, 8.1 assists and 4.8 rebounds in â44 games this â season, his 17th in the NBA.
Harden could block any trade because he is technically under contract for just this season, which requires his approval for the swap. The second year of his two-year, $81.5m deal is a player âoption, which is not fully guaranteed.
Garland, â26, has been sidelined since January 14 with a Grade 1 right toe sprain.
The two-time All-Star is averaging 18.0 points âand 6.9 assists over 26 games this season. He is in the third âyear of a five-year, $197.2m â contract.
The Cavaliers (30-21) are in contention in the Eastern Conference, one of four teams with either 30 or 31 wins behind first-place âDetroit (36-12), which explains the desire to make a big move by acquiring Harden.
The Clippers, 23-26, remain in âplay-in contention in the West, currently in ninth place.
The NBA trade deadline is Thursday at 3pm âET (20:00 GMT).
Source: RhinoEasy News
