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Ramona Shelburne: A few weeks ago James Harden was waxing poetic about his time in LA, telling ESPN how “blessed” he’d felt to play in his hometown. I believe he was genuine in those sentiments. But this is a business decision for all involved. Garland is 10 years younger and gives the Clippers more of a future. Harden gets a chance to play for a contender and a better chance to earn some long term security. Everyone involved knew this summer how tradable that partial guarantee on the second year of Harden’s contract made him. All in all, a very different kind of exit than his last few exits.
Shams Charania: BREAKING: The Los Angeles Clippers are trading James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Darius Garland and a second-round pick, sources tell ESPN. Prolific swap of the star point guards.
Shams Charania: BREAKING: The Chicago Bulls are trading center Nikola Vucevic and a second-round pick to the Boston Celtics for Anfernee Simons and a second-round pick, sources tell ESPN.
Shams Charania: Just in: Chicago, Minnesota and Detroit have agreed to a multi-team deal that sends Jaden Ivey and Mike Conley Jr. to the Bulls and Kevin Huerter and Dario Saric to the Pistons, sources tell ESPN. Detroit also receives a 2026 first-round protected swap from Minnesota.
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One Western Conference executive told me that "Everyone is preparing for this to happen in the summer." Another factor that could inform offseason Giannis Antetokounmpo trade talks? The upcoming playoffs -- which have a chance to be truly chaotic. Eliminated contenders who feel they are "one star away" could pick up the phone, and Milwaukee could be in a position to take full advantage. As another longtime executive is fond of saying, "Disappointment leads to action."
The Golden State Warriors have involved Draymond Green in active trade conversation in advance of Thursday's deadline, league sources told ESPN, putting his 14-season run with the franchise in jeopardy.
General manager Mike Dunleavy and controlling owner Joe Lacob have maintained a motivation to get a trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo across the finish line and, as part of that, Green's name has been involved in the framework of available offers to the Milwaukee Bucks, league sources said.
With Anthony Davis sidelined because of a hand injury, the belief around the league for weeks has been that the trade deadline will pass without a move. Davis has also made it clear he wants to stay in Dallas. So why is this still coming up? Windhorst: This will largely depend on what Dallas is willing to do with the expected return. In initial talks with teams, the Mavs were looking for a premium, including multiple first-round picks or a prime player, per sources -- textbook stuff when making a star available. There is also the matter of Davis eyeing an extension this summer. There were no takers.
The idea of this deal struck league executives as potentially awkward for both teams. While James Harden is having a strong season, his timeline does not match the rest of the Cavs' roster. Darius Garland is dealing with issues to both big toes and, while sources said he is making progress after missing the past two weeks with a right toe sprain and could return soon, there is some concern about whether the injuries could be a longer-term issue. The Clippers had won 17 of 21 games before Monday night, completely turning around their season. Harden potentially jumping ship now, and its potential effect on the Clippers' trajectory, certainly won't be burnishing his résumé.
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The Pacers continue to seek a long-term answer at center after free agent Myles Turner left for Milwaukee last summer. And with Bennedict Mathurin headed for restricted free agency this offseason, the expectation among sources is he could be moved either to acquire center help or to find a cheaper long-term wing option.
Nobody except a few Milwaukee Bucks owners and executives really has any idea if Giannis Antetokounmpo will be dealt before Thursday’s 3 p.m. trade deadline. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst says it’s 51-49 he won’t be traded this week. The Ringer’s Zach Lowe says he believes it’s 50-50, but the teams involved in the pursuit believe it’s 80-20 against a trade in the next two days: “The consensus is they are a little skeptical the Bucks will move him now.”
Brian Windhorst: The idea of this deal struck league executives as potentially awkward for both teams. While Harden is having a strong season, his timeline does not match the rest of the Cavs roster. Garland is dealing with issues to both big toes and, while sources said he is making progress after missing the last two weeks with a right toe sprain and could return soon, there is some concern about whether the injuries could be a longer-term issue. The Clippers had won 17 of 21 games before Monday night, completely turning around their season. Harden potentially jumping ship now, and its potential effect on the Clippers' trajectory, certainly won't be burnishing his resume.
