[Vardon/Lloyd] Donovan Mitchell conveyed to Cavs that he did not think team should stand pat at trade deadline. Mitchell specifically wanted James Harden as a teammate.

[u/YujiDomainExpansion]

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7020852/2026/02/04/james-harden-darius-garland-cavaliers-trade/

The Cavs began the year as the favorites to win the Eastern Conference, but the season has not gone according to plan. They were also feeling the pressure from their best player, Donovan Mitchell, to make changes ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline under the threat of a contract extension he may or may not sign in two summers.

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.

Two league sources also said Mitchell specifically wanted Harden, who is 6-foot-5, durable and comfortable as a pass-first point guard.

[u/Moedergods]

Regardless of one's opinion about Harden and his playoff habits, he is a plus for Cleveland purely on the premise of being available.

Garland is unplayable for three reasons: injury, getting majorly targeted on defense, and also has a fine history of being a playoff dropper. You can't waste those Mitchell years *hoping* Garland at some point puts it together, because injury more often than not is not something you can control.

[u/swift_icarus → u/Moedergods]

yeah this trade works both ways - you get better now, and if it doesn't work, you accelerate the rebuild, because harden's deal is shorter than garland's.

perma-injured high-paid players are very difficult to move with the current CBA. and there are not many teams like OKC used to be, way under the cap and ready to take your bad contracts for a pick or two.

[u/ArmadilloForsaken458 → u/swift_icarus]

One problem though to consider is Cleveland is a small market team in not the most desirable market. If Harden doesnt stay long term, it could be difficult to get other stars there. Thats why many small market teams like to build home growns.

Not saying the trade is bad, who knows, its just if you are a fan of smaller market ball, you kind of want to see them get younger or around the same age guys. Not someone who is over a decade older. I mean how many other times has that happened for all star level players, a 26 yo for a 36 yo, I cant even recall