In a surprising turn of events, NBA superstar James Harden is on the verge of joining the Cleveland Cavaliers in a trade that will send Darius Garland to the Los Angeles Clippers. This move comes after both teams have reached an agreement, but it still awaits official confirmation from the league.
At 36 years old, Harden boasts an impressive resume as an 11-time NBA All-Star and is often celebrated as one of the greatest guards to ever play the game. However, despite his many accolades, he has yet to secure an NBA championship title, which seems to be a significant factor in his decision to make this transition.
Harden expressed his excitement about the possibility of winning his first championship in Cleveland, stating, "I see an opportunity to win in the East - they got a very good team, coaching staff, all of the above," during an interview with ESPN. His desire to remain competitive in the league played a critical role in his choice to leave Los Angeles, where he noted, "As much as I wanted to stay in LA and give it a go, I've never won one before. As a basketball mind, I think we have a bit better chance."
This season, Harden has been instrumental in helping the Clippers recover from a rough start, where they had a record of 6-21. However, he missed a recent game against the Philadelphia 76ers as discussions regarding his potential trade to the Cavaliers were underway.
While speculation arose that Harden had demanded a trade from the Clippers, he firmly denied these claims. "That wasn't the case at all. In life, not even just basketball, when things don't work out, there are ways to end things in relationships without having to crack each other," he clarified. He suggested that the decision to part ways was mutual, stating, "Maybe we just don't see a future with each other. Maybe we just outgrew each other. Whatever the case may be, I feel like our situations weren't like that."
Throughout his career, which spans across five different teams, Harden has amassed a remarkable total of 28,805 points, making him ninth on the NBA's all-time scoring list. On the flip side, the Cavaliers are looking to enhance their playoff chances, having last claimed an NBA title in 2016.
Darius Garland, who is 26 years old, is currently averaging 18 points per game this season, though his performance has been affected by injuries. As part of the trade agreement, the Clippers will also receive a second-round draft pick for the upcoming draft.
The two teams are set to face each other on Wednesday, but for the trade to be finalized, both Harden and Garland must successfully pass their medical examinations first.
