The Los Angeles Clippers and Cleveland Cavaliers wasted no time after the preliminary James Harden trade reports came to light and have come to an agreement to ship the former MVP to Ohio for Darius Garland and a second-round selection.
It’s a deal that definitely wasn’t anticipated after Cleveland’s earlier season by which the Cavs had been considered one of the league’s prime groups.
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This season they’ve did not duplicate that success, and now they’ve pivoted to Harden as Garland struggled to remain wholesome.
So, let’s into some trade grades.
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Los Angeles Clippers: A
Garland could have struggled to remain wholesome this season, however he is 10 years youthful than Harden and offers the Clippers with some long-term upside that Harden doesn’t.
This might be the first step for the Clippers to get youthful and focus extra on the subsequent decade.
The 6-foot-2 Garland is a formidable passer and pull-up scorer, and will simply discover himself again in the All-Star dialog in the coming years when his well being returns.
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Of course, it is regarding the Clippers are seemingly losing probably the finest season of Kawhi Leonard’s profession with this new path ahead.
Cleveland Cavaliers: B- (however with potential for extra)
There’s a caveat to this grade.
First off, the Cavs have to go for the complete factor instantly. Not subsequent 12 months. Not in 2028. Now. Right now. Harden, technically, helps with that, and if the Cavs make a robust Finals push with Harden as their lead guard, then this grade improves.
If not, the workforce is a state of affairs by which Harden can depart this summer time, and he turns 37 earlier than the begin of subsequent season.
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Make no mistake: This is a HUGE gamble for the Cavaliers, as relinquishing Garland and doubtlessly shedding Harden means the clock will possible begin to tick on a attainable Donovan Mitchell trade request.
It can’t be overstated how a lot rides on this season’s success, so whereas I respect them for the gamble, this might go south — and fairly dramatically.