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James Harden expressed his desire for the Clippers moving forward.
James Harden leaves the Los Angeles Clippers amid a flurry of speculation that he wanted out.
That said, Harden expressed his hopes for the Clippers after Tuesday’s trade to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Los Angeles acquired guard Darius Garland and a second-round draft pick for Harden.
“I wanted them to actually have a chance to rebuild and get some draft capital,” Harden told ESPN after the trade.
Garland is 10 years younger than Harden, 36, and the 26-year-old guard has been to a pair of All-Star games. Garland simply hasn’t been healthy this season with just 26 games played.
Harden, meanwhile, reminisced a little about his time with the Clippers during the ESPN interview. He joined the Clippers via a trade in 2023 and helped the team reach the playoffs the past two seasons.
“We had a hell of a 2½ years,” Harden said. “We didn’t reach the goals that we all wanted to reach, but I think we built some great memories, wins, and fun moments for all of us.”
“At the end of the day, it is a business, and I think both sides got what they wanted, are in a great place and are very happy,” he added. “I’m excited about Cleveland. I’m still trying to chase my first championship and do whatever it takes to win.”
James Harden Traded For the Fifth Time, Denies Wanting Out
Harden has been all over in his 17-year career, all via trades.
It started with the Oklahoma City Thunder, which traded him in 2012 after his only NBA Finals appearance. Harden then had a successful run with the Houston Rockets before he gave joining a big three crew with the Brooklyn Nets a shot.
Brooklyn didn’t pan out amid injuries, and Harden landed with the Philadelphia 76ers in another trade. Harden lasted only two seasons with the Sixers before he wound up with the Clippers, and he claims this time around, he didn’t ask for the trade.
“That wasn’t the case at all,” Harden told ESPN. “In life, not even just basketball, when things don’t work out, there are ways to end things in relationships without having to crack each other. ‘OK, maybe we just don’t see a future with each other. Maybe we just outgrew each other.’”
“Whatever the case may be. I feel like our situations weren’t like that,” Harden added.
Darius Garland Fits What Clippers Want
Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank made it clear that they are getting what they’re looking for in acquiring Garland, a young and talented guard with playoff experience.
“We are trying to get younger while continuing to win, and Darius allows us to do both,” Frank said in a statement on Wednesday. “He is a two-time All-Star who just turned 26 and a highly skilled point guard with excellent feel. Darius is an adept shooter and passer, a quick decision-maker and a respected teammate who has shown the ability to run an elite offense.”
“We are excited to win with him and grow with him,” Frank added.
Garland is averaging 18.8 points and 6.7 assists this season.
Matthew Davis covers the NFL, WNBA and college sports for Heavy.com. As a contributing writer to the StarTribune, he has also covered Minnesota prep sports since 2016. More about Matthew Davis
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