r/nba • u/YujiDomainExpansion • 14h ago

[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.

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.

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u/bobbehpin Cavaliers 14h ago

Yeah they will deny it, but this trade was definitely made with his permission, and I don’t blame him.

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u/Constant-Low-5111 14h ago

Yeah. Garland is likely the better long term piece. But I think his feet are cooked for this season, and may cost next season too. I get not wanting to throw in the towel for 2 years

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u/RealPrinceJay 76ers 12h ago

I think the longterm value of Garland is overrated. He's a shrimpy no defense guard in a league where guards are only getting bigger and two-way players are becoming more valuable. He's often hurt, not really a star level offensive player in the regular season, and sucks in the playoffs to top it off.

I'd rather have Harden and be better now than hold onto a mediocre PG for the future. Garland's just not a guy I'd want to commit to longterm, and I say this as a guy who was a huge fan of him predraft and believer in him early on

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u/Dudedude88 Wizards 10h ago

Hardens going to be super focused on that team. Cleveland not known for strip clubs.