Darius Garland joins Clippers in trade from Cavaliers

The former All-Star point guard is adjusting to his new team after being dealt for James Harden

Feb. 5, 2026 at 12:47am

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Darius Garland, a two-time NBA All-Star, was traded from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Los Angeles Clippers in a deal that sent 11-time All-Star James Harden to Cleveland. Garland is still getting settled with his new team and is recovering from a toe injury, but is excited to play under Clippers coach Tyronn Lue, who he hopes will utilize him similarly to how Lue used Kyrie Irving during their championship run in Cleveland.

Why it matters

The trade marks a significant shift in the Clippers' roster as they look to get younger and faster, with Garland expected to provide a different dynamic than the isolation-heavy style of Harden. For the Cavaliers, the move brings in a proven scorer to pair with Donovan Mitchell as they aim to bolster their playoff push.

The details

Garland, 26, was traded from the Cavaliers to the Clippers on February 5, 2026 in exchange for Harden. Garland has been sidelined since January 16 with a toe injury, but is eager to get on the court and contribute to the Clippers' playoff push. Clippers coach Tyronn Lue is excited to implement a new offense centered around Garland's playmaking abilities, which he hopes will complement the team's existing stars like Kawhi Leonard.

  • Garland was traded to the Clippers on February 5, 2026.
  • Garland has been out since January 16 with a toe injury.

The players

Darius Garland

A 26-year-old point guard who was a two-time NBA All-Star with the Cleveland Cavaliers before being traded to the Los Angeles Clippers.

Tyronn Lue

The head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers, known for his ability to get the most out of his players, including during his championship run with Kyrie Irving in Cleveland.

James Harden

An 11-time NBA All-Star who was traded from the Clippers to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the deal that brought Garland to Los Angeles.

Donovan Mitchell

The star player for the Cleveland Cavaliers, who the team hopes Harden can provide additional scoring support for as they aim to bolster their playoff push.

Kenny Atkinson

The head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, who expressed his fondness for Garland but acknowledged the need to make tough decisions in trading him for Harden.

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What they’re saying

“Ty is going to be great for Darius. Ty was a point guard himself and understands the position. You know, my relationship with Darius, and to lose it, is kind of a tough day. But the positive is that he is coming to the Clippers and he will be with Ty. I expect him to be great here and I'm rooting for him.”

— Kenny Atkinson, Cavaliers Head Coach

“I hope T-Lue uses me like he did Kyrie in that championship run they had (in Cleveland). But whatever T-Lue wants me to be, whatever position he wants me to be in, I'm going to do that. I'm here to win games.”

— Darius Garland

What’s next

Garland is still recovering from his toe injury and the Clippers have not provided a timetable for his debut with the team. Once he is healthy, the focus will be on integrating him into the Clippers' system and seeing how his playmaking abilities can complement the team's existing stars like Kawhi Leonard.

The takeaway

The Garland-Harden trade represents a significant shift in the rosters of both the Clippers and Cavaliers, with each team looking to address specific needs. For the Clippers, Garland brings a younger, faster-paced dynamic that could unlock new offensive possibilities, while the Cavaliers hope Harden's scoring punch can help take the pressure off Donovan Mitchell and bolster their playoff chances.