New-look Cavs Aim to Shake Up Playoff Race

Cleveland makes deadline deal to bolster roster for postseason push

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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The Cleveland Cavaliers made a trade deadline move to acquire star guard James Harden, shaking up the Eastern Conference playoff picture. At 34-21, the Cavs are currently fourth in the East, trailing the Detroit Pistons, Boston Celtics, and New York Knicks. With 27 games left, Cleveland is focused on gaining leverage in the tight race for playoff positioning.

Why it matters

The Cavaliers' trade for Harden could be a game-changer in the East, as they now have a superstar-caliber player to pair with their existing core. This move signals Cleveland's intent to be a serious contender this season, and it will be fascinating to see how the new-look Cavs fare against the other top teams in the conference down the stretch.

The details

The Cavaliers acquired James Harden in a trade with the Philadelphia 76ers, sending a package of players and draft picks the other way. Harden, a nine-time All-Star, is expected to provide an immediate scoring boost and playmaking ability to complement Cleveland's existing talent like Darius Garland and Evan Mobley.

  • The NBA trade deadline was on February 10, 2026.
  • The Cavaliers currently have a 34-21 record as of February 17, 2026.

The players

James Harden

A nine-time NBA All-Star and one of the league's premier scoring guards, Harden was acquired by the Cavaliers at the trade deadline to bolster their playoff push.

Darius Garland

The Cavaliers' young star point guard, Garland has blossomed into an All-Star and will now team up with Harden to form a potent backcourt duo.

Evan Mobley

The Cavaliers' promising young big man, Mobley has emerged as a defensive anchor and is expected to benefit from playing alongside the veteran Harden.

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What they’re saying

“We're not just chasing vibes at this point - we're chasing leverage in a tight playoff race. Adding a player of James' caliber gives us a real shot at making a deep run.”

— Koby Altman, Cavaliers General Manager (cleveland.com)

What’s next

The Cavaliers will look to integrate Harden into their lineup quickly and build chemistry as they make a push for a top-4 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

The takeaway

The Cavaliers' trade for James Harden signals their intent to be a serious contender in the Eastern Conference this season. With a talented young core and now a superstar addition, Cleveland has positioned itself as a team to watch in the second half of the NBA season.