NBA Season 2025-26

[radiohead]

Mannix is reporting that the Clippers and Cavs are in/have had advanced discussions for a Harden/Garland swap, with Harden coincidentally not playing tonight. Not sure I really get that. Does Harden make the Cavs that much better? I guess he's at least more available than Garland this year. And for the Clippers side? No idea.

Wow. Can Harden and Mitchell coexist? On the other hand, are the Clippers gonna do a major reset and make Zubac available? Or will they build around Garland/Kawhi/Zubac?

[Moranis]

Harden is basically what the Cavs hoped Garland would be (at least offensively).  He never really developed into a reliable #2 scorer and a floor general, in large part because he is always dealing with some sort of injury.  I have no idea how well Mitchell can play off the ball.  That is the real question there.  But I do like that the Cavs are making moves and trying to seize the day.

Imagine if they pull off Harden for Garland and then still acquire Giannis for a Mobley centered package.

[SparzWizard]

Harden is basically what the Cavs hoped Garland would be (at least offensively).  He never really developed into a reliable #2 scorer and a floor general, in large part because he is always dealing with some sort of injury.  I have no idea how well Mitchell can play off the ball.  That is the real question there.  But I do like that the Cavs are making moves and trying to seize the day.

Imagine if they pull off Harden for Garland and then still acquire Giannis for a Mobley centered package.

And LeBron possibly taking the hometown 'retirement discount' next season back in Cleveland.

[Who]

Not in love with a Harden + D Mitchell backcourt.

Then again, D Garland + D Mitchell was dysfunctional as well. And Harden has a good track record with fellow ball-handling guards - Chris Paul (kinda), Kyrie, Tyrese Maxey.

Harden individually is a clear upgrade on Garland.

[Celtics2021]

Harden is basically what the Cavs hoped Garland would be (at least offensively).  He never really developed into a reliable #2 scorer and a floor general, in large part because he is always dealing with some sort of injury.  I have no idea how well Mitchell can play off the ball.  That is the real question there.  But I do like that the Cavs are making moves and trying to seize the day.

Imagine if they pull off Harden for Garland and then still acquire Giannis for a Mobley centered package.

How, pray tell, is that happening?  The Cavs would need to trade away over $34 million in extra salary to get below the first apron, since Giannis makes $8 million more than Mobley.  The Cavs also cannot trade any 1st round picks until 2031 (which means they have only one available to trade) and have only 3 total 2nd round picks to trade.  They are not moving that kind of salary this week, with those assets, when there is so little available space to trade contracts into, unless they give away Jarrett Allen for free (and even then I am not sure they can pull it off).

[celticinorlando]

Cavs know they are going to have trouble with the cap this summer.

But Harden? That feels like a terrible addition.

[Roy H.]

Cavs know they are going to have trouble with the cap this summer.

But Harden? That feels like a terrible addition.

Garland's deal is one year longer, so this gives the Cavs long term salary relief.  And, if Harden opts out and leaves, all the better.

[Moranis]

Cavs know they are going to have trouble with the cap this summer.

But Harden? That feels like a terrible addition.

Garland's deal is one year longer, so this gives the Cavs long term salary relief.  And, if Harden opts out and leaves, all the better.

Cavs asked for a 1st which Clippers have said no to at this point.

[Moranis]

Harden is basically what the Cavs hoped Garland would be (at least offensively).  He never really developed into a reliable #2 scorer and a floor general, in large part because he is always dealing with some sort of injury.  I have no idea how well Mitchell can play off the ball.  That is the real question there.  But I do like that the Cavs are making moves and trying to seize the day.

Imagine if they pull off Harden for Garland and then still acquire Giannis for a Mobley centered package.

How, pray tell, is that happening?  The Cavs would need to trade away over $34 million in extra salary to get below the first apron, since Giannis makes $8 million more than Mobley.  The Cavs also cannot trade any 1st round picks until 2031 (which means they have only one available to trade) and have only 3 total 2nd round picks to trade.  They are not moving that kind of salary this week, with those assets, when there is so little available space to trade contracts into, unless they give away Jarrett Allen for free (and even then I am not sure they can pull it off).

they don't need to be below the 1st apron, only the 2nd, which they can nearly get to by dumping Ball off to Hornets (which is rumored).  Then one small move and they are below the 2nd apron allowing them to aggregate salaries to acquire Giannis. They can make the Hatden for Garland swap at any time as Garland makes slightly more than Harden.

[Donoghus]

Sure sounds like we're headed in that direction with Harden.

Chris Haynes
@ChrisBHaynes
Los Angeles Clippers and Cleveland Cavaliers have ramped up conversations on a James Harden, Darius Garland package with both sides motivated to executing a deal relatively soon, league sources tell me.

[Donoghus]

NBA
@NBA
?
1m
The
@Kia
 Rookies of the Month for January!

West: Cooper Flagg (
@dallasmavs
)
East: Kon Knueppel (
@hornets
)

[slamtheking]

NBA
@NBA
?
1m
The
@Kia
 Rookies of the Month for January!

West: Cooper Flagg (
@dallasmavs
)
East: Kon Knueppel (
@hornets
)

Hugo's day will come!   

[Donoghus]

Given what has transpired over the past hour or so, this flew under the radar. Jaylen getting player of the month for the East.

NBA Communications

@NBAPR
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Dončić and Boston Celtics forward-guard Jaylen Brown have been named the Kia NBA Western and Eastern Conference Players of the Month, respectively, for games played in January.