The Land Gets The Beard: James Harden Heads to Cleveland

But Harden will do more than elevate Mitchell’s role moving forward. There aren’t many players who utilize the pick-and-roll to involve big men better than The Beard. He brought out the best of Clint Capela in Houston, was the point man when Joel Embiiid was named MVP in Philadelphia and was key to Ivica Zubac’s ascension in Los Angeles. 

Five years before Harden helped Embiid earn MVP honors, the 6-5, 220-pounder took home that coveted hardware himself after winning the first of three straight scoring titles with the Rockets in 2017-18. 

Overall, Harden – who was named to the NBA’s 75^th Anniversary Team – has been an All-NBA First Team on six occasions, is an 11-time All-Star, has won the league’s Sixth Man award and won two gold medals with USA Basketball. Aside from his three scoring titles, he’s led the league in assists twice, in 2017 and again in 2023. 

“James Harden has cemented himself as an all-time great in this league and he adds another elite playmaker and All-NBA talent to our roster,” said Cavaliers President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman. “We’re excited about the impact he will have on our group and our championship aspirations. His presence will elevate our offense, create opportunities for teammates, and bring valuable playoff experience at both ends of the floor.”

Harden’s career numbers are dizzying. He’s appeared in 1,195 career contests with averages of 24.1 points, 7.3 assists, 5.6 rebounds and 1.48 steals per – just one of just five players to average at least 24.0 points and 7.0 assists per game. He’s posted 82 triple-doubles, eight-most in NBA history. He’s scored at least 20 points in 769 games, 30-plus in 342 games, 40-plus in 107 games, 50-plus in 25 games and has four outings of at least 60. 

Among active NBA players, only two – LeBron James and Kevin Durant – have played in more postseason games than Harden’s 173. He’s reached the playoffs in each of his 16 seasons, but hasn’t reached the Finals since 2012 with the Thunder. He’s reached the Conference Finals four times – twice with OKC, twice with the Rockets. In three postseason trips with Philadelphia and Brooklyn, his teams were eliminated in the East Semis. 

Looking to bolster that playoff resume, Harden joins a Cavaliers team that’s been equally frustrated in the Conference tournament – falling in five First Round games against New York two seasons ago and falling in the Semis in each of the past two seasons.

Before making their Deadline deals this week, the Cavs hit the road as one of the East’s hottest teams – having won seven of eight after dropping Harden’s former club (and Darius Garland’s current one) on Wednesday night. Cleveland has gone 14-5 since December 29 and currently sits in the East’s 5^th spot, but just 2.5 games behind New York for the No. 2 seed. 

As with any trade, there are conflicting emotions. And as eager as Cleveland is to see Harden get rolling in a Cavs uniform, it’s tough to say goodbye to Garland, who was the team’s first true building block in the post-LeBron James Era – tabbed with the 5^th overall pick back in 2019. 

In 408 career games with the Wine & Gold, Garland averaged 18.8 points and 6.7 assists, earning All-Star nods in 2022 and 2025. He ranks ninth in Cavs team history in points (7,671) and third in both three-pointers made (956) and assists (2,738).

“Over the past seven seasons, Darius grew into an All-Star, a leader, and the heartbeat of our team,” said Altman. “This decision was not made lightly, as Darius consistently represented the Cavaliers and our community with grace and joy that resonated with his teammates and our fans, both at Rocket Arena and across the NBA. We are incredibly grateful for everything he has given this organization. The difficulty of this trade reflects the utmost respect we have for him, and we wish him nothing but success as he begins the next chapter of his career with the Los Angeles Clippers.”

After the dust settles this week, and the squad returns home next Wednesday, the Cavaliers will be a vastly different team heading into the season’s second half. But the true test of Cleveland’s wheeling-and-dealing will come in late April – and beyond. 

There was a feeling around the league that the Wine & Gold were going to make some noise at the Trade Deadline. 

On Sunday, they made a little noise – beefing up the backcourt with the additions of Dennis Schröder and Keon Ellis in exchange for De’Andre Hunter. On Wednesday, the Cavs brass turned it up to 11 – officially announcing a deal that sends the team’s most tenured player, Darius Garland, to the L.A. Clippers in exchange for 11-time All-Star and future Hall of Famer, James Harden.

After crushing the Lakers by 30 points one week ago at home, the Cavaliers team that departed for their five-game West Coast trip will be decidedly different than the one who returns to Cleveland next Wednesday – and more importantly, the one who goes into the second half of the season positioning itself for an extended postseason run.

Now in his 13^th season, Harden is still one of the most productive offensive players in the league. His 25.4ppg average is his highest mark since the 2019-20 season. He’s averaging 8.1 assists per, the 3^rd-best mark in the NBA this season and is shooting 90 percent from the stripe. He’s drained 135 three-pointers. He’s topped the 30-point mark on a dozen occasions – including a 41-point effort against Dallas and a Clippers franchise record 55-point outburst in late November against the Hornets.

The addition of Harden gives Cleveland two of the most dynamic guards of the generation, pairing him with Donovan Mitchell, who’s having a career year of his own. Since Garland went out with a toe injury in mid-December, Mitchell’s been primarily on the ball – averaging 6.9apg over that nine-game stretch. Harden’s presence as a playmaker will free Mitchell on the offensive end, giving the Cavs arguably the league’s most explosive backcourt.