The Cleveland Cavaliers have made a major trade ahead of the deadline.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have made the deal that was rumored over the last few days, sending Darius Garland and a second-round pick to the Los Angeles Clippers for James Harden.
Harden is 36 years old, but is still playing at a high level. The 11-time All-Star is averaging 25.4 points per game, along with 4.8 rebounds, 8.1 assists, and 1.3 steals. He is shooting 41.9 percent from the field and 34.7 percent from three.
Despite his age, Harden is still a quality scorer and playmaker, and now joins Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen in Cleveland.
On the way out is Garland, who has spent all seven years of his career with the Cavs. The two-time All-Star has been a dynamic playmaker and scorer throughout his career, but he has struggled to stay on the floor.
In the 25 games he's played this season, Garland is averaging 18 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 6.9 assists per game while shooting 45.1 percent from the floor and 36 percent from deep.
The deal isn't just a swap of talented guards for the Cavs; it gives them an older guard who has been more productive and, most importantly, more available.
Rob Gray-Imagn ImagesCleveland also saves money in the long term, as Harden earns $39.1 million this season and has a $42.3 million player option next season. Garland is in the third year of a five-year $197 million deal.
This is a bold move by the Cavs, who have been very aggressive in retooling the roster. They traded De'Andre Hunter to the Sacramento Kings in a deal that yielded them Keon Ellis and Dennis Schroder.
The trades Cleveland has made show that they haven't been satisfied with finishing near the top of the Eastern Conference, but falling short in the postseason.
With Cleveland's record at 30-21 and fifth in the East, they are reshaping their roster around Mitchell and Mobley to try to establish themselves as the best team in the conference.
Harden is a talented player, but only time will tell if this was the right move to get the Cavs over the hump in the postseason.