Clippers Weigh Trading Harden for Garland

Merlin sees the Clippers are "hell-bent" on clearing salary cap room for the 2027 free agent class and are reportedly discussing sending James Harden to Cleveland for Darius Garland. Harden’s $42.3 million player option could fall to $13.3 million if waived by July 11, and L.A. currently has only Ivica Zubac guaranteed for 2027, so cap flexibility is the driving force. Merlin notes the short-term oddity: Harden is still averaging 25.4 points and 8.1 assists while the Clippers climbed from 6-21 to ninth. Garland is younger but locked into a five-year, $197.2 million deal through 2027-28, so the swap would not fully align with the 2027 purge. Sources say talks are "all about a contract extension." The deadline will test whether long-term planning wins out.