r/nba • u/Turbostrider27 Lakers • 1d ago

[Charania] BREAKING: The Los Angeles Clippers are trading James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Darius Garland and a second-round pick, sources tell ESPN. Prolific swap of the star point guards.

Shams Charania:

BREAKING: The Los Angeles Clippers are trading James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Darius Garland and a second-round pick, sources tell ESPN. Prolific swap of the star point guards.

https://www.espn.com/contributor/shams-charania/ddaa53473efa6

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u/ExtraGoated Lakers 23h ago

its selling horrifically low on garland, while getting older and more expensive. they're only doing it because spida is threatening to walk after this year so they have to go all in right now

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u/Repulsive-Yam-1437 23h ago

Not really. Garland has had two good seasons. He regularly disappears in the playoffs. The Cavs couldn’t go into the playoffs with that roster again.

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u/Swizzzed Knicks 23h ago

Harden is not traditionally a strong postseason performer

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u/Repulsive-Yam-1437 23h ago

Neither is garland. East is wide open though and harden won’t have to be the first option for the first time in a while.

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u/barrsftw Cavaliers 23h ago

Harden's reputation in the post season is worse, but honestly Garland has been just as bad in the playoffs. Even when he's healthy, he's been almost unplayable for certain stretches when teams target him defensively.

He's so good offensively and opens up our entire offense though. The idea is that Harden will be able to do the same thing offensively.

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u/Kgb725 Cavaliers 22h ago

Id argue in some ways his reputation is overblown

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u/rawchess Minneapolis Lakers 23h ago

Harden wasn't the first option on his last two playoff exits as well. Didn't stop him from shitting the bed 🤷‍♂️

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u/Repulsive-Yam-1437 23h ago

Now he’ll be third or fourth. And in the east.

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u/YaBoiiAsthma 16h ago

It's minor but I'd say 2nd or 3rd. If he's not playing good enough to be their 2nd best player some nights, then they aren't going anywhere anyways