James Harden trade: Cleveland secure deal for LA Clippers star

James Harden has landed on a fifth NBA team in as many years, with the superstar guard heading to Cleveland in a blockbuster trade.

Harden will bolster the Cavaliers’ backcourt after a deal was finalised in the days leading up to the league’s trade deadline, with the LA Clippers receiving Darius Garland and a second-round draft pick in return.

Harden, 36, had been a big part of the Clippers’ resurgence across the past several weeks after a horror start to the season. But he will now form part of a potent guard combination alongside Donovan Mitchell as the Cavs look to make a title run.

It marks a fresh landing spot for Harden after he was traded out of Houston in early 2021. The 11-time All-Star and former MVP went through Brooklyn, Philadelphia and the Clippers before Wednesday’s (WA time) trade.

Harden is averaging 25.4 points per game - his highest tally since the 2019-20 season - and 8.1 assists.

The deal was the latest in a series of trades around the NBA before the deadline, including Aussie Jock Landale shifting from Memphis to Utah as part of a multi-player swap.

More to come