Harden for Garland: Breaking Down the Clippers-Cavaliers Trade

Another NBA trade happened on Tuesday after we went over three trades (Grizzlies-Jazz trade and the Bulls-Celtics swap and a three-team deal). Let's go over the trade between the Clippers and Cavaliers.

We'll look at the real world and fantasy basketball implications of the deal.

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Trade Details and Stats

The deal is pretty straightforward, as Los Angeles got Darius Garland and a second-round pick in exchange for James Harden.

Harden might be 36 years old, but he's still delivering plenty while on the court. He's played in 44 games this season, averaging 35.4 minutes a contest.

Harden is averaging 25.4 points, 8.1 assists, 4.8 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 0.4 blocks per game. He's shooting 41.9% overall and 34.7% from 3-point land.

Garland has only played 26 games this season, dealing with some injuries along the way. He's averaging 30.5 minutes a game.

He's also averaging 18 points, 6.9 assists, 2.4 rebounds, 0.8 steals and 0.1 blocks over 30.5 minutes a contest. Garland is shooting 45.1% overall and 36% from deep.

The swap is simple because each team sent their point guard out. They will just replace each other after the trade.

Outlook for the Cavaliers

Even at his advanced age, Harden is the better player in the deal. I think the Cavs are going to win this trade in the long haul.

Harden will start at point guard for Cleveland alongside Donovan Mitchell at the shooting guard spot. That's about as good of a 1-2 guard punch as you'll see in the NBA.

Dean Wade, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen are the other projected starters when the team is at full health. The Cavaliers might not be done either, but they already look like a force in the Eastern Conference because of this move.

Dennis Schroder is the backup point guard now, with Craig Porter Jr. and Lonzo Ball the next in line. Tyrese Proctor is an option at point guard and shooting guard.

Sam Merrill, Keon Ellis and Jaylon Tyson are the other options at shooting guard.

Tyson is the top backup at small forward, and could even start over Wade. Merrill and Ellis are other options there.

Mobley is banged up right now, but he'd start if he's healthy, and still on the team. Nae'Qwan Tomlin, Wade and Larry Nance Jr. are some other power forward options. 

Mobley can back up Allen at the center spot. Thomas Bryant and Nance are a couple other options, as is Wade if the Cavs got a bit smaller.

That's a very good roster top to bottom, but I'm not so sure the team is done adding. After trading De'Andre Hunter last week, Cleveland could use another forward option - the only problem is that it could deplete some talent at other positions.

Anyways, Harden is an upgrade from Garland, so everyone in Cleveland will benefit from the switch over time. Having Harden around means that not many other point guards will get a ton of minutes, so Schroder and others could fall off the fantasy map.

Harden might not be the No. 1 scoring option anymore, but I don't see his production falling off too much. He'll still be a high-end fantasy talent.

Outlook for the Clippers

When Garland is back healthy, he'll take over the starting point guard spot. Kris Dunn and Bogdan Bogdanovic are some other backup options, and will carry the load until Garland is cleared to play.

Dunn is an option to start at shooting guard too - backup options Kobe Sanders and Jordan Miller could play more minutes, at least until Garland is back.

Kawhi Leonard is now the clear leader in the starting lineup. Derrick Jones Jr., Sanders, Bogdanovic and Miller are other options there, but when healthy, Leonard will cover most of the minutes.

John Collins is the power forward. Nicolas Batum, Jones and Kobe Brown are additional options there, as is Leonard. 

Ivica Zubac is the center, with Brook Lopez as a quality backup. Collins could also cover some minutes there too.

Without Harden around, several Clippers have the chance to pick up their production. Garland will do most of that when he's cleared to play, but Leonard, Collins and Zubac have the chance to produce more too.

Dunn, or whoever is filling in that fifth spot, could also be better fantasy assets, and those will be the possible waiver wire guys to add.

I'm about to do a waiver wire story, so check back to see if any Clippers are worth adding.