The Cleveland Cavaliers ought to be going all-in to win an NBA title this yr. The participant they obtained for the all-in push is a extra questionable determination.
The Cavaliers traded 26-year-old Darius Garland to the Los Angeles Clippers for 36-year-old, 11-time All-Star James Harden. The transfer will get the Cavaliers an all-time nice to pair with MVP candidate Donovan Mitchell, however one who has been removed from an all-time nice within the postseason.
James Harden’s addition might repay within the quick time period
Harden could also be a decade older than Garland, however he is been much more productive this season. He is scoring 25.4 factors per recreation and eight.1 assists for a resurgent Clippers crew that went 15-4 within the final 19 video games Harden has performed. He additionally performed 44 out of 47 video games earlier than the Clippers sat him prematurely of the commerce.
That is perhaps the essential issue for the Cavaliers, who have not had Garland for 25 of their 51 video games this season. He additionally missed 4 of their 9 playoff video games with a toe harm final season, with one other toe harm holding him out for the following three weeks.
Is Harden extra precious than Garland for the following 4 years? Most likely not. However is Harden extra precious to the Cavaliers for the following 4 months, with Mitchell in his prime and the Jap Convention broad open? Most likely.
Cleveland’s accidents prompted the James Harden commerce
It is not simply Garland’s accidents that plagued the Cavaliers this season. They have been with out beginning small ahead Max Strus all season, who suffered a Jones fracture in his foot. Knee accidents have sapped Lonzo Ball’s athleticism and effectiveness, whereas Craig Porter Jr. has been strong however averages simply 4.8 factors.
Mitchell has been carrying the offense with 28.9 PPG and the best utilization fee of his 4 seasons in Cleveland. Harden will take a few of that offensive burden off Mitchell, whereas offering extra measurement than the 6-foot-1 Garland. Even when within the playoffs, he is usually fallen quick.
James Harden is a wild card within the playoffs
For his profession, Harden averages 22.5 factors, 6.5 assists and 5.5 rebounds within the playoffs. He is performed 173 playoff video games, the equal of greater than two additional seasons. Whereas his averages are strong, Harden’s inconsistency has damage him within the greatest postseason moments.
Through the 2012 NBA Finals, Harden scored in single digits in three of the 5 video games. Within the 2015 Western Convention Finals, Harden dedicated 12 turnovers within the climactic recreation. In 2017, Harden shot 2-of-11 with six turnovers in an elimination recreation loss in opposition to a San Antonio Spurs crew lacking Kawhi Leonard. In 2018, he went 2-of-13 from three-point vary in a Sport 7 loss to the Golden State Warriors.
In 2023, Harden scored 9 factors in a Philadelphia 76ers Sport 7 loss, and 7 factors within the Clippers’ Sport 7 loss final season. In between, he put up seven factors in a 2024 loss to the Dallas Mavericks.
It might be sufficient that Harden lets Mitchell keep contemporary sufficient to take over on the ends of video games. The Cavs nonetheless produce other weapons in Evan Mobley, who ought to feast off Harden’s passes, and second-year sensation Jaylon Tyson (14 factors, 47.3 3P%).
However for a transfer that value Cleveland a two-time All-Star, something lower than the NBA Finals is a failure — and Harden hasn’t made it there since 2012. The Cavs are taking an enormous gamble on a participant who has failed within the postseason too many instances.
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