NBA Trade Frenzy Sends James Harden to Cavaliers as Multiple All Stars Change Teams

The NBA landscape shifted dramatically as several blockbuster trades reshaped contenders and rebuilding teams across both conferences.

The Los Angeles Clippers are trading James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Darius Garland and a second round pick, sources told ESPN. The deal follows days of discussions between Harden and the Clippers and gives both sides a clean transition. Harden, 36, joins a Cavaliers team looking to raise its championship ceiling in the Eastern Conference alongside Donovan Mitchell. Cleveland adds one of the NBA’s 75 greatest players while maintaining its win now ambitions.

Harden and the Clippers worked through his exit over the last few days — resulting in a beneficial outcome for the sides: A win-now opportunity for Harden playing at a high level at 36 and recent two-time All-Star in Garland at 26 for the Clippers present and future. https://t.co/JM2tYr6lof

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 4, 2026

For the Clippers, acquiring Garland, a recent two time All Star at 26, provides both immediate impact and long term stability at point guard.

Speaking to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, Harden denied requesting a trade and reflected on his time in Los Angeles. “In life, not even just basketball, when things don’t work out, there are ways to end things in relationships without having to crack each other. Okay, maybe we just don’t see a future with each other. Maybe we just outgrew each other, whatever the case may be. I feel like other situations weren’t like that. And that’s why I can respect Steve and L and TLu because they didn’t put me in a weird position as much as everybody tried to make it like that.”

Just spoke to a reflective James Harden, who denied asking for a trade and thanked the Clippers for the opportunity to play the last two and a half years in his hometown. “In life, not even just basketball, when things don't work out, there are ways to end things in relationships…

— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) February 4, 2026

Elsewhere, the Memphis Grizzlies made a franchise altering move by trading Jaren Jackson Jr., John Konchar, Jock Landale and Vince Williams Jr. to the Utah Jazz for Walter Clayton Jr., Kyle Anderson, Taylor Hendricks, Georges Niang and three future first round picks. Utah pairs Jackson with Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler, while Memphis signals a full rebuild with one of the league’s deepest collections of future picks.

The Chicago Bulls also stayed active, sending Nikola Vucevic and a second round pick to the Boston Celtics for Anfernee Simons and a second rounder. A separate multi team deal sends Jaden Ivey and Mike Conley Jr. to Chicago, Kevin Huerter and Dario Saric to Detroit, and gives the Pistons a protected 2026 first round swap from Minnesota.