SportsFebruary 4, 2026
NBA Trade Deadline 2026: James Harden to Cleveland in Blockbuster Deal
1 / 2
The 2026 NBA trade deadline lived up to its reputation for high-stakes drama. In the final hours of the deadline on February 5, the Cleveland Cavaliers sent shockwaves through the league by acquiring 10-time All-Star James Harden from the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Price of Experience
To secure the veteran guard, Cleveland parted with their emerging star Darius Garland and a future second-round pick. This trade signals that the Cavaliers are in "win-now" mode, pairing Harden's elite playmaking with their young defensive core.
James Harden to Cavaliers
"Using Harden as a pure point guard releases Mitchell to be the scorer he was born to be," says analyst Sarah Kustok. "It is a high-risk, high-reward move that could redefine the Eastern Conference playoffs."
Enjoy this story?
Please review our free news & stories on Trustpilot.
