The Cleveland Cavaliers have made their deal with the Los Angeles Clippers official. James Harden is heading to Cleveland, Darius Garland to Los Angeles.
Cavs’ president of basketball operations, Koby Altman, released a statement about the shocking trade. First, he spoke about trading for Harden:
“James Harden has cemented himself as an all-time great in this league and he adds another elite playmaker and All-NBA talent to our roster. We’re excited about the impact he will have on our group and our championship aspirations. His presence will elevate our offense, create opportunities for teammates, and bring valuable playoff experience at both ends of the floor.”
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It’s easy to see the upside with Harden, but there’s an incredible risk in trading away a home-grown former All-Star who is a decade younger in the process.
Altman said this about moving Garland:
“At the same time, we deeply appreciate what Darius Garland has meant to this franchise and the city of Cleveland. Over the past seven seasons, Darius grew into an All-Star, a leader, and the heartbeat of our team. This decision was not made lightly, as Darius consistently represented the Cavaliers and our community with grace and joy that resonated with his teammates and our fans, both at Rocket Arena and across the NBA. We are incredibly grateful for everything he has given this organization. The difficulty of this trade reflects the utmost respect we have for him, and we wish him nothing but success as he begins the next chapter of his career with the Los Angeles Clippers.”
This trade was made with the hopes of the Cavs being better prepared for the playoffs in a wide-open Eastern Conference. We’ll see if that gamble pays off in the spring.
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