The Los Angeles Clippers are navigating some sudden and significant changes to their roster just ahead of their matchup with the Cleveland Cavaliers - and the headlines keep coming.
First up: Ivica Zubac has been ruled out of tonight’s game due to personal reasons. While that naturally raises some eyebrows given the flurry of trade activity across the league, this absence is not trade-related, according to reports.
Still, his name has been circulating in trade discussions, with the Boston Celtics reportedly expressing interest at one point. Whether that market is cooling off or just waiting to heat back up remains to be seen, but for now, Zubac is sidelined.
But the bigger shakeup? James Harden is on the move again - this time to Cleveland.
That blockbuster deal ends Harden’s three-season stint with the Clippers and closes the chapter on his Los Angeles homecoming. A native of L.A. and a standout at Artesia High, Harden’s return to Southern California always carried a personal element.
But now, the Clippers are turning the page.
In return, the Clippers land Darius Garland from the Cavaliers, a move that signals a clear shift in direction. Garland brings youth, playmaking, and a different kind of offensive dynamic to a team that’s been looking to retool on the fly. His ability to create off the dribble and facilitate could be a strong fit alongside the Clippers’ core - especially if the team is preparing for a deeper postseason push.
And while Wednesday’s trade that sent Chris Paul to the Toronto Raptors made waves, it was Tuesday night’s Harden-Garland swap that truly reshaped the landscape. The Clippers acted quickly once Harden emerged as a viable trade candidate, and the deal came together fast.
So, as the Clippers prepare to face the Cavaliers - now featuring Harden in a new uniform - they do so with a roster in flux. Zubac is out, Garland is in, and the team is once again evolving on the fly. This isn’t just a midseason adjustment; it’s a potential turning point for a franchise that’s still chasing its first title and trying to find the right mix to get there.