NBA trade update: James Harden joins Donovan Mitchell in Cleveland Cavaliers' stunning win-now move

James Harden’s trade news has finally been confirmed. The Los Angeles Clippers are trading the guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers’ Darius Garland and a second-round pick. Harden will be joining Donovan Mitchell in this stunning win-now move. This was confirmed by the ESPN Senior NBA Insider Shams Charania. With Harden joining the Cleveland roster alongside Mitchell, the team has a higher chance of solidifying their championship run for the 2025-2026 season.

Initially there were several other prospects from teams like the Houston Rockets and the Atlanta Hawks. Harden has previously been a part of the Rockets. He probably spent the majority of his career span within the league with the Rockets. It was, thus, obvious that the team might have looked into a possible trade aspect, wanting the athlete back. However, in the end, it was the Cavaliers that secured the player. This will be the sixth team that Harden will be playing for within the league to date.

James Harden joins Donovan Mitchell after stunning trade involving Darius Garland and a second-round pick

The news about James Harden wanting a trade away from the Los Angeles Clippers broke out on Monday, February 2, 2026. On Tuesday, it was finally decided whom the Clippers wanted in exchange for the athlete. ESPN’s NBA reporter Shams Charania posted a tweet on Tuesday announcing the final decision of the team. The Clippers have agreed to trade Harden with the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Darius Garland and a second-round pick. The name of the second-round pick has not been revealed yet.



Harden will be joining Donovan Mitchell in forwarding the Cavaliers to a higher spot. The trade news is a good one for the fans who have been wanting a boost within the roster of the team. Harden is known for his ability to facilitate as a guard within the court and this is exactly what the team and Mitchell require at the moment. Overall, it has been a win-now move for the Cavaliers. Harden is currently averaging 25.4 points with 4.8 rebounds and 8.1 assists. On the other hand, Mitchell is averaging 28.8 points with 4.6 rebounds and 5.8 assists.

What is next for the Los Angeles Clippers?

Getting a player who has been sidelined since January 16 does not seem to be worrying the Los Angeles Clippers. While Darius Garland still has a long way to go and prove himself, the team will focus on branding themselves around Kawhi Leonard. Kawhi is currently averaging 27.6 points with 6.1 rebounds and 3.6 assists.

Garland was initially drafted by the Cavaliers in 2019 as the 5th overall pick. He has been a 2-time NBA All-Star and has contributed to leading the team to significant victories. However, the said 26-year-old athlete had suffered some major injuries this season. Garland missed the first seven games of the season while recovering from an off-season toe injury. He is currently sidelined due to an ankle sprain. The athlete is currently averaging 18.0 points with 2.4 rebounds and 6.9 assists.

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