James Harden had his eyes on a familiar destination before his latest move to Cleveland. According to reports, the former MVP was interested in a reunion with the Houston Rockets - the franchise where he became a superstar and etched his name into the team’s history books. But the Rockets, despite sitting comfortably in fifth place in the West and boasting a promising young core, weren’t looking to turn back the clock.
Instead, Harden was traded from the Los Angeles Clippers to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a deal that sent Darius Garland to L.A. It’s a move that could reshape the Eastern Conference playoff picture - and one that signals a new chapter for Harden, who’s still chasing that elusive first NBA championship.
“At the end of the day, it is a business,” Harden said. “I think both sides got what they wanted, are in a great place and are very happy.
I’m excited about Cleveland. I’m still trying to chase my first championship and do whatever it takes to win.”
What’s notable here is that Harden didn’t ask out of L.A. He emphasized that he didn’t request a trade from the Clippers, even though his contract situation had become a sticking point.
Last offseason, Harden reportedly sought more long-term security from the Clippers, but the team - mindful of his age and their desire for future flexibility - declined to commit beyond the short term. Harden is earning $39.4 million this season, with $13.3 million of his $42.3 million salary for next year guaranteed.
That context helps explain why this trade made sense for both sides. The Clippers get a younger All-Star in Garland and maintain long-term cap flexibility.
The Cavaliers, meanwhile, get a seasoned playmaker who still puts up elite numbers - 25.4 points and 8.1 assists per game this season - and who could be a difference-maker come playoff time. There’s already talk that Cleveland could look to lock Harden up with a new deal this summer.
“I wanted [the Clippers] to actually have a chance to rebuild and get some draft capital,” Harden said. “I see an opportunity to win in the East.
They got a very good team, coaching staff, all of the above. So as much as I wanted to stay in L.A. and give it a go, I’ve never won one before.
As a basketball mind, I think we have a bit better chance.”
That “bit better chance” now lies in Cleveland, where Harden joins a talented roster featuring Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen - three players who’ve made All-Star appearances but haven’t yet broken through to the conference finals. The Cavaliers are currently fourth in the East and trending upward. The addition of Harden gives them not just another scorer, but a proven shot creator who’s been through the wars of deep postseason runs.
Let’s not forget: Harden’s been to the mountaintop before, at least in terms of reaching the Finals. He was part of that young Oklahoma City Thunder squad that made it to the 2012 Finals before falling to the Miami Heat. Since then, he’s racked up accolades - MVP, scoring titles, All-Star nods - but the ring has remained out of reach.
Now, more than a decade later, he’s hoping Cleveland can be the place where it all comes together. Whether this version of the Cavaliers, with their mix of youth and veteran savvy, can make a real run remains to be seen. But with Harden in the fold, they’ve added a player who knows what it takes to win - and who’s clearly hungry to finish what he started.