Clippers Shake Things Up: James Harden Heads to Cleveland, Zubac Dealt to Pacers
In a move that blindsided just about everyone, the Los Angeles Clippers sent James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Darius Garland. The trade came together fast-no buildup, no leaks, just a sudden jolt to the NBA landscape. And that wasn’t the only shockwave out of L.A. on Tuesday.
Shortly after the Harden deal hit the wire, the Clippers doubled down by shipping Ivica Zubac to the Indiana Pacers. Two major roster changes in one day for a team that, just a few weeks ago, looked like it had found its rhythm.
Let’s rewind for a second. After a sluggish start to the season, the Clippers had turned things around in a big way.
They ripped off 17 wins in a 21-game stretch, finally looking like the team many expected when this core came together. With Kawhi Leonard healthy, Paul George in a groove, and Harden settling into his role, the Clippers were trending upward.
This wasn’t a team anyone had pegged as a major player at the trade deadline.
But then came Harden’s push to move on, and just like that, the Clippers pivoted. Out goes Harden.
In comes Garland. And not long after, Zubac is on his way to Indiana.
What This Means for the Spurs
The ripple effects of this shakeup stretch far beyond L.A., and you better believe the San Antonio Spurs are paying attention.
For a young squad like the Spurs, veteran-heavy teams can be a real problem-especially when the lights get brighter in the postseason. That’s why they’ve struggled with teams like Golden State, who have the kind of chemistry and experience that can punish youthful mistakes.
And then there’s Kawhi Leonard. The Spurs haven’t beaten a Leonard-led Clippers team in over five years.
Every time they've managed to take down L.A., it’s been with Leonard watching from the bench. Now, with Harden gone and Zubac out of the paint, Leonard’s supporting cast just got thinner.
That could finally open the door for San Antonio to flip the script.
From a Spurs fan’s perspective, this is about as good as it gets. One of the West’s top contenders just got weaker, and a longtime nemesis in Leonard may find it a little harder to carry the load. It doesn’t guarantee wins, but it certainly shifts the balance a bit.
So yes, it’s a good day in the 210. The Clippers are in flux, the Western Conference just got a little less daunting, and the Spurs-still growing, still learning-might find a little more daylight in a crowded playoff picture.
Keep an eye on how this all plays out. The deadline isn’t done yet, and if the Clippers are this aggressive now, there could be more moves on the horizon.
But for now, the Spurs can take a quiet victory lap. One of their biggest obstacles just got a little easier to climb.