The aggregation never ends, does it? The Cleveland Cavaliers and LA Clippers have been linked in trade rumors for the past 15-ish hours. And while nothing has happened yet, the momentum continues to grow per reports.
ESPN’S Brian Windhorst offered the latest update on NBA Today:
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“People I’m talking to, there is real momentum for this,” Windhorst said. “Darius Garland is getting in his head that he’s going to be a Clipper. James Harden is getting in his head that he’s gonna be a Cav.”
There are always plenty of smoke screens to navigate during the NBA trade deadline. But when there is this much smoke, it’s hard to ignore. The likelihood of Garland and Harden swapping cities is feeling more certain by the minute. And apparently, even the players themselves are preparing for a new chapter.
For Harden, this is nothing he hasn’t seen before. He’s asked for a trade four times in five years, going from the Houston Rockets, to the Brooklyn Nets, to the Philadelphia 76ers, to the LA Clippers, and now, possibly to the Cavs. The 11-time All-Star has forced his way out of multiple franchises and is comfortable being uncomfortable.
But for Garland, this is uncharted territory. Garland has played all seven seasons of his career in Cleveland. He’s been floated in trade rumors before, but he’s never actually been put under the spotlight to this degree. A trade would mark a first for Garland — but even if nothing happens, this could have huge ramifications for Garland’s future in the Land.
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This entire ordeal has been out there for the world to see. Garland now knows that his front office has dangled him in serious trade offers while presumably getting the approval of Donovan Mitchell. That’s a tough pill to swallow, even for the most professional NBA player.
All of that makes it feel like this trade is a done deal. Because turning back now seems just as daunting as going through with this massive swing.
