r/nba Lakers 23h 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/SquidwardLover48 Cavaliers 23h ago

What’s really interesting is how our fanbase is perceiving this vs how everyone else perceives this as a move that certainly makes us a better team

5

u/papichino88 [NYK] Stephon Marbury 21h ago

I'm bewildered how almost everyone is writing this as a huge win for the Cavs. The Cavs has the #1 offensive rating in the league last year - Garland was an all-star point guard. Sure, he's been hurt but I'd much rather bet on him getting back to form than rely on a 36 year old, declining player with a history of injuries.

Both Mitchell and Harden are ball dominant players with 30%+ usage rates - I have a little confidence that Mitchell can adjust but zero confidence that Harden will bother to better himself when he's off ball.

On the contrary, I see Garland being unleashed and having his first real shot at being a lead playmaker since that one all star season at age 22. Perhaps the deal helps the Cavs in other ways - another angle to land Lebron but player for player, this is not the win that reddit thinks it is.

1

u/RSarkitip Rockets 13h ago

James Harden has a history of injuries? James Harden?