The Cleveland Cavaliers traded Darius Garland to the Los Angeles Clippers for James Harden. Did Donovan Mitchell plan this?
It looks like Donovan Mitchell played a role in the Cleveland Cavaliers' acquisition of James Harden.
According to Joe Vardon and Jason Lloyd of The Athletic, Mitchell "specifically wanted" Harden, who was traded to the Cavaliers for Darius Garland.
"Three league sources said Mitchell, who has one guaranteed season left on his three-year, $150 million deal and a player option for 2027-28, conveyed, either personally or through his representatives, that he did not think the organization should stand pat for the rest of this season and wait for potential moves in the summer," Vardon and Lloyd wrote.
"A high-ranking Cavs official refuted that Mitchell applied such pressure and also denied that the Zoom call took place. ... Two league sources also said Mitchell specifically wanted Harden, who is 6-foot-5, durable and comfortable as a pass-first point guard."
The Cavaliers' starting lineup is now Harden, Mitchell, Jaylon Tyson, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. That's a pretty deadly starting lineup.
Cleveland also has Keon Ellis and Dennis Schroder coming off the bench now. The Sacramento Kings traded Ellis and Schroder to the Cavaliers for De'Andre Hunter.
Harden is averaging 25.4 points, 4.8 rebounds and 8.1 assists per game this season while shooting 41.9% from the field, 34.7% from beyond the arc and 90.1% from the free-throw line. He's one of the top scorers and passers in the NBA despite being 36.
The 2018 MVP with the Houston Rockets, Harden is making $39.4 million this season, with $13.8 million of his $49.2 million salary for next season guaranteed. Expect the Cavaliers to sign Harden to a new contract in the offseason.
Mitchell is playing very well this season as well. He's averaging 28.8 points, 4.6 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game and shooting 48.3% from the field, 38.2% from 3 and 84.2% from the foul line.
The Cavaliers are now under immense pressure to win the championship this season. The Wine and Gold haven't gotten past the second round of the playoffs since 2018. Mitchell, 29, has never reached the conference finals.
Harden made it to the 2012 NBA Finals with the Oklahoma City Thunder, who lost to LeBron James and the Miami Heat in five games. The Beard also guided the Rockets to the conference finals twice. Houston lost to the Golden State Warriors both times.
It will be fascinating to see how Harden and Mitchell mesh. Both players are ball-dominant players and there is only one ball on the court. Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson will have to get creative with his offensive sets.
Cavaliers Roundtable also offers a fan community and message board. We’d love to have you join us to talk all things Cavaliers. Click the “Join” button at the top of the page to join our community for free.