The Los Angeles Clippers reportedly traded James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday for Darius Garland in the biggest move of the NBA trade deadline week.
Shortly after the trade was completed, Harden spoke with ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne about it. He denied requesting a trade, Shelburne reported. But he’s “excited” about moving to Cleveland.
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Harden is one of the top 10 scorers in NBA history, tied with Karl Malone, but has not won a championship. He believes he has a better chance of winning that elusive NBA title with the Cavaliers than with the Clippers.
“In Cleveland, I saw an opportunity to win in the East,” Harden told Shelburne. “They have a really good team, coaching staff, all of that.
“So as much as I’d love to stay in L.A. and give it a try, I’ve never won a championship before. As a basketball player, I think we have a better chance.”
Can Harden become a serious contender for the Cavaliers?
Harden is right. The Cavaliers he joined achieved a 68-14 Eastern Conference record last season. Garland missed nearly half of Cleveland’s games due to injury before being traded, and they have already surpassed that number in total losses this season.
But they’re still competitive at 30-21, which is good for fifth place in the Eastern Conference as of Tuesday night. The east is open. Replacing a limping Garland with a healthy Harden has the potential to propel the Cavaliers to the top of the league.
James Harden hopes a move to Cleveland will eventually lead to an NBA championship.
(David Jensen via Getty Images)
Is there a better backcourt in basketball?
The Cavaliers paired 10-time All-Star Harden with six-time All-Star Donovan Mitchell to create arguably the best backcourt in the NBA. Both players are capable of scoring 50-plus points on any given night. Mitchell was an elite scorer in his prime. Harden is a former three-time scoring champion and a high-level playmaker who has twice led the league in assists.
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Good luck to the opposing team when they decide to double team in a crucial moment.
Meanwhile, the Clippers returned to competitiveness with a 23-26 record after a 6-21 start. But even if they keep Harden, this isn’t a team that can compete with the Thunder, Nuggets, Spurs or Rockets for a Western Conference exit. The addition of Garland doesn’t change the equation.
In Mitchell’s prime, the Cavaliers were in the hunt for a championship, and with nearly two days until Thursday’s trade deadline, they may not be done yet. Meanwhile, the Clippers remain in trouble.
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“We had two and a half years of hell,” Harden said of his time with the Clippers. “We didn’t achieve where we all wanted to, but I think we made some great memories and had some great wins and fun moments for all of us.
“At the end of the day, it’s a business and I think both parties got what they wanted and are in a great position and very happy.”
