The Cavaliers and Clippers have finalized a trade that sends 11-time All-Star James Harden to Cleveland, with Darius Garland and a second-round pick going to Los Angeles, ESPN and The Athletic both reported Tuesday.
Harden, 36, was held out of the Clippers’ lineup the last two games for what the team labeled personal reasons.
The former NBA MVP and three-time scoring champ is averaging 25.4 points, 8.1 assists and 4.8 rebounds in 44 games this season, his 17th in the NBA.
Harden could block any trade because he’s technically under contract for just this season, which requires his approval for the swap. The second year of his two-year, $81.5 million deal is a player option, which isn’t fully guaranteed.
Garland, 26, has been sidelined since Jan. 14 with a Grade 1 right toe sprain.
The two-time All-Star is averaging 18.0 points and 6.9 assists over 26 games this season. He is in the third year of a five-year, $197.2 million 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 Detroit (36-12), which explains the desire to make a big move by acquiring Harden.
The Clippers, 23-26, remain in play-in contention in the West, currently in ninth place.
The NBA trade deadline is Thursday at 3 p.m. ET.
