The blockbuster deal featuring star guards James Harden and Darius Garland was made official Tuesday, with the Cleveland Cavaliers acquiring the 11-time All-Star in return for their two-time All-Star guard and a second-round pick.
ESPN’s Shams Charania was first to report the transaction, which gained significant traction over the previous 24 hours. According to Charania, Harden and the Clippers spent the last few days negotiating an exit that ultimately served both sides well.
Looking at James Harden’s Contract
Harden is playing under a two-year, $81.5 million contract. He is set to make $39.4 million this season and holds a $42.3 million player option for next year, though only $13.3 million of that amount is guaranteed.
Per ESPN’s Bobby Marks, the trade requires Harden to waive his one-year Bird restriction, effectively a no-trade clause, and while he had a 15% trade kicker attached to his contract, he decided to forgo most of it.
Now in his 17th NBA season, Harden is hovering on the edge of All-Star status, yet he remains one of the league’s premier offensive catalysts thanks to his scoring and playmaking, averaging 25.4 points and 8.1 assists per game.
He played a major role in the Clippers’ midseason revival following a 6-21 start, but lingering uncertainty surrounding his long-term future during that surge prompted Los Angeles to make a well-timed sell-high move.
The Clippers initially acquired Harden in a trade with the 76ers in 2023. He later signed a two-year, $70 million contract with Los Angeles in 2024, followed by the current deal that was ultimately moved to Cleveland.
Harden helped guide the franchise to two playoff appearances, both ending in first-round exits. He appeared in 195 regular-season games for the Clippers — the third-most he has played for any team in his career behind only Houston and Oklahoma City — while averaging 21.1 points, 8.5 assists and 5.3 rebounds.
He now joins a Cleveland backcourt alongside Donovan Mitchell, supported by a strong frontcourt featuring Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, unless another move reshapes the roster.
As Charania noted, the trade represents a win-now opportunity for Harden, who continues to perform at a high level at age 36, and a long-term present-and-future investment for the Clippers in acquiring Garland.
