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The LA Clippers and Cleveland Cavaliers have discussed a deal that would send James Harden to Cleveland for Darius Garland, league sources told The Athletic<\/em>.<\/p>\n The Cavaliers\u2019 interest in Harden, league sources said, would be contingent on the amount of draft capital the Clippers would attach to sweeten any deal where they\u2019d swap the 26-year-old All-Star guard for the 36-year-old former MVP.<\/p>\n Harden sat out Monday against the Philadelphia 76ers after missing Sunday\u2019s game in Phoenix for what the team has labeled \u201cpersonal reasons.\u201d Garland has been sidelined since Jan. 14 with a Grade 1 right toe sprain.<\/p>\n The Athletic<\/em> confirmed late Monday that the Clippers and Harden are working to find the point guard a new home by Thursday\u2019s trade deadline, as ESPN first reported. While Harden is not extension-eligible, league sources say uncertainty surrounding his contract situation \u2014 he has a player option for the 2026-27 season \u2014\u00a0is playing a pivotal role in Harden\u2019s desire to find a new home.<\/p>\n Finding a team willing and able to take on Harden, who turns 37 in August, is an obstacle. He has been solid this season as LA\u2019s primary playmaker, averaging 25.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 8.1 assists, 1.3 steals and 3.1 3s per game in 35.4 minutes over 44 appearances this season. But finding a way to reimagine a roster to account for his strengths and shortcomings is a major undertaking and the list of realistic suitors is limited even before considering scheme and depth-chart implications. Notably, each time Harden has been traded, it has been after the start of a team\u2019s training camp (2012 from Oklahoma City, 2021 from Houston, 2022 from Brooklyn and 2023 from Philadelphia).<\/p>\n When it comes to Cleveland, Harden and Donovan Mitchell would give the Cavs a potentially dynamic backcourt and more size at the guard spot. The Cavs have already made a trade this season, acquiring guards Keon Ellis and Dennis Schr\u00f6der from the Sacramento Kings over the weekend.<\/p>\n Garland, under contract through the 2027-28 season, would give the Clippers a younger point guard who can consistently get into the lane and make plays.<\/p>\n The Clippers (23-26) have been one of the hottest teams in the league over the last month, which makes the timing of Monday\u2019s news odd. The Cavaliers (30-21) have gone a chunk of time with Garland, who underwent toe surgery in the offseason, and has been in and out of the lineup.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n