James Harden Darius Garland trade keeps getting worse
The James Harden Darius Garland trade keeps getting worse for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Harden slumped badly in the playoffs, Cleveland’s offense cratered from nearly 120 points per game, and ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported that missing Garland helped push LeBron James toward Philadelphia—leaving the Cavs forced to re-sign Harden anyway.
Few observers would argue that Harden is a better player today than Clippers guard Darius Garland. Yet the swap that sent Garland to Los Angeles and Harden to Cleveland keeps compounding problems for a franchise that just missed out on LeBron James, as covered across our True Crime & Unsolved Mysteries hub and NBA reporting.
Key Takeaways
- Harden shot 40.9% from the field and 29.9% from three in the playoffs, per The Sporting News via Yahoo Sports.
- Cleveland’s scoring fell from 119.9 points per game in the regular season to 107.9 in the postseason.
- Windhorst said not having Garland was a major reason the Cavs lost LeBron’s final NBA years.
- Harden declined a $42.3 million player option and is expected to sign a new two- or three-year deal.
- LeBron chose the Philadelphia 76ers over Cleveland, Miami, and Golden State.
How poorly did Harden perform after the trade?
According to Yahoo Sports (originally The Sporting News), Harden’s size was pitched as a playoff defensive edge over Garland—but that claim remains unproven. What is measurable is his shooting collapse and faded creation.
He looked like a shell of the offense creator he once was. Cleveland averaged 119.9 points per game in the regular season, then dropped to a shocking 107.9 in the playoffs. That gap has fueled fan frustration with the deal.
Did the James Harden Darius Garland swap cost the Cavs LeBron?
Windhorst told ESPN that James’ choice to forgo a Cleveland return hinged partly on wanting to play with Tyrese Maxey in Philadelphia. James was also open to pairing with Garland had the Cavs not traded him.
Hoops Rumors, citing Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, added that James reportedly did not want to team with Harden. Rumors of interest in reuniting with Kyrie Irving surfaced during free agency, though Cleveland and Dallas never discussed a Harden-Irving swap. Siegel also tied LeBron’s decision to Cleveland’s limited upgrades after a Knicks sweep in the Eastern Conference finals.
What must Cleveland do after missing LeBron?
Sources told Siegel the Cavs had no plans to move on from Harden regardless of LeBron’s choice. Harden is expected to sign a two- or three-year contract soon to help the team avoid the second apron after declining his $42.3 million option in late June.
Sports Illustrated notes LeBron picked the 76ers over the Cavs, Heat, and Warriors, leaving Cleveland thin at small forward in a loaded East. Possible next swings include Kevin Durant, DeMar DeRozan, Jonathan Kuminga, or Trey Murphy III—moves that would have to make up for a trade that already looks costly.