The Cleveland Cavaliers were the only team to secure a former NBA Most Valuable Player at this season’s trade deadline, acquiring James Harden in a move aimed squarely at an immediate championship run.
While other high-profile players such as Jaren Jackson Jr., Anthony Davis and Ivica Zubac switched clubs with an eye toward future campaigns, Cleveland expects Harden to shift its fortunes right away.
Talks began six weeks ago
According to Andscape’s Marc J. Spears, the Cavaliers started discussing a potential Harden deal about six weeks ago. Around the same period, ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne reported that the Los Angeles Clippers fielded inquiries on Harden, Kawhi Leonard and Zubac after a rough stretch in December.
Harden’s representatives tested the market, even floating a return to the Houston Rockets while Fred VanVleet was sidelined. Houston showed no interest, but Cleveland did.
Why Cleveland moved
The Cavaliers believe Harden can lighten Donovan Mitchell’s scoring load, enhance the development of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, and provide playoff experience that the roster lacked. Injuries have limited guard Darius Garland, especially a lingering toe issue, leaving a need for reliable playmaking.
President of basketball operations Koby Altman rejected the idea that durability concerns drove the trade, calling that notion “BS,” but he acknowledged the club is firmly in win-now mode, making availability critical.
Mitchell and Harden align on goals
The deal gained momentum Tuesday night when Harden and Mitchell spoke at length by phone, The Athletic’s Tony Jones and Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor reported. By the end of the conversation, both players supported the partnership.
“We both know it’s going to be an adjustment, but we’re excited,” Mitchell said. “We both want a championship.” He added that playing off the ball is not new territory for him and believes the team’s ceiling is now “higher.”
Coach confident in the fit
Head coach Kenny Atkinson dismissed concerns about how the two guards will mesh. “Great players fit together,” Atkinson said. “When you have high-IQ players, it makes it a heck of a lot easier.”
Cleveland’s front office echoed that sentiment, emphasizing that the trade was designed to contend, not experiment.
Source: Hoops Wire
