The Cleveland Cavaliers surprised everyone at the NBA Trade Deadline. The Cavs acquired eleven time All-Star James Harden from the Los Angeles Clippers. The trade resulted in sending Darius Garland to Los Angeles in the deal. This trade shocked not only Cleveland but the rest of the NBA.
Many wondered why a Cavs team that won 64 games a year ago was breaking up their core. The core 4, Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen, and Evan Mobley have been together since 2022. As talented as this group is, the most success they have seen together is reaching the Eastern Conference Semifinals. For years, Cavs fans wondered who the odd man out was, and it appears it was Darius Garland.
The Cavs get a veteran guard with a much bigger frame that can compliment Donovan Mitchell. Darius Garland had much success playing alongside Donovan, but hurt the Cavs defensively with two guards under 6’3. James Harden at 36 years old is durable and an immediate upgrade at playmaking and three level scoring.
For the Clippers on the other hand, Darius Garland will have much more freedom in the backcourt. More opportunities to score as well as handle the ball could resurrect Garland’s career. Another reason for this trade comes down to availability. Darius dating back to 2023, has missed a significant amount of games especially in the playoffs. James Harden despite some trade requests is always on the floor.
As the Darius Garland era ends in Cleveland, The James Harden era could be a big success or a short term failure. In three games with the Cavs, Harden is averaging 19.3 PPG, 12 APG, and 5.3 RPG. This is exactly the production and versatility the Cavs wanted from James Harden. The hot start must continue into the postseason for this trade to be a success.
The Cavs made another move at the NBA Trade Deadline, trading Deandre Hunter to the Sacramento Kings. In return they acquired Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis. This deal was made before the Harden trade, but shows the focus Cleveland has on acquiring size and physicality in the backcourt.
A short lived tenure in Cleveland for Deandre Hunter due to a rough 2025 season results in his departure. The Cavs are thin in the forward department at the moment as they await the return of Max Strus. Evan Mobley is also working towards getting back after suffering a minor calf strain before the All-Star break. The vision the Cavs had is slowly coming together as the team returns from injury and begins to grow chemistry.
James Harden the last couple seasons has been one of the best playmakers in the NBA. Most importantly, the Cavs front court will benefit the most from Harden. Evan Mobley will return to the lineup soon, but the resurgence of Jarrett Allen has been the top headliline. Allen has looked like a perennial All-Star in the small sample size with James Harden.
In the three games together, Jarrett is averaging 24 PPG, 10.6 RPG, and shooting 80% from the field. Adding Evan to the mix will only improve this lineup defensively and take the pressure off Jarrett to score.
Looking at James Harden’s career, the impact his style has on big men will be studied for years. In Los Angeles Ivica Zubac had the best stretches of his career. When James was on the 76ers, Joel Embiid won the NBA MVP. Even in Houston, Clint Capela was one of the most impctful centers in the league. This is a major reason Cleveland made the trade for Harden and how he can elevate the duo of Mobley and Allen.
The Cavs new backcourt features two ball dominant guards. Donovan Mitchell is arguably having the best scoring season of his career. Looking at James Harden’s season, he’s playing great basketball as well especially at age 36. The small sample size of this duo has been successful, Donovan is scoring around 30 PPG a night and Harden is facilitating around 9 APG a night.
The versatility of this backcourt is what gives experts and analysts hope. James Harden is a 25 PPG scorer when asked upon. For Donovan Mitchell, he can pass like the best of them, the last three seasons he’s averaged around 6 APG. Furthermore, they compliment each other so well with the ultimate goal of winning an NBA championship.
It’s still only February, but the momentum in Cleveland is heating up. This team has been close for the last three seasons, but needed a move that would take them over the top. The James Harden trade looks like could be the move that gives Cleveland the X-factor in the postseason. Time will tell because Harden isn’t getting any younger, on the other side you traded away a two time All-Star 26 year old guard. Health will be a major barrier Cleveland has to overcome to win a championship, but it’s shaping up for a shootout in the Eastern Conference.
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