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Chris Mannix Sources: James Harden–Darius Garland Trade in Advanced Talks

The Clippers have rallied into the play-in race, while the Cavaliers are trying to keep pace in a muddled Eastern Conference.
Chris Mannix|
The Clippers have discussed a trade framework that would send guard James Harden to the Cavaliers.
The Clippers have discussed a trade framework that would send guard James Harden to the Cavaliers. | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

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Los Angeles ClippersCleveland Cavaliers

The Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Clippers have had advanced discussions on a deal that would send James Harden to Cleveland in exchange for Darius Garland, sources tell Sports Illustrated. 

The deal would represent an exchange of former All-Star guards. Harden, 36, has been a workhorse for the Clippers this season, averaging 25.4 points in 35.4 minutes per game. Garland, 26, has battled injuries this season. He missed Cleveland’s first seven games recovering from offseason toe surgery and has been sidelined since Jan. 16 with an ankle sprain. On the season, Garland is averaging 18 points per game. 

Harden was not in the lineup for Los Angeles on Monday. Clippers coach Tyronn Lue told reporters that Harden was away from the team for personal reasons.

In talks, the Cavaliers have pushed for the Clippers to include draft capital, seeking either a first-round pick or a future swap, sources tell SI. Los Angeles, which has limited draft assets to deal, has rejected those requests.

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Chris Mannix
CHRIS MANNIX

Chris Mannix is a senior writer at Sports Illustrated covering the NBA and boxing beats. He joined the SI staff in 2003 following his graduation from Boston College. Mannix is the host of SI's "Open Floor" podcast and serves as a ringside analyst and reporter for DAZN Boxing. He is also a frequent contributor to NBC Sports Boston as an NBA analyst. A nominee for National Sportswriter of the Year in 2022, Mannix has won writing awards from the Boxing Writers Association of America and the Pro Basketball Writers Association, and is a longtime member of both organizations.

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