Cavs Dominate Post-Harden Trade

- The Cavaliers acquired James Harden from the Los Angeles Clippers on February 4, 2026, in exchange for Darius Garland and a 2026 second-round pick. This move signaled a "win-now" approach for Cleveland. - Since Harden's arrival, the Cavaliers have a 6-1 record. The team's confidence has been notably renewed, according to head coach Kenny Atkinson. - The pairing of James Harden and Jarrett Allen has been particularly effective, boasting an offensive rating of 127.0 in their first 176 minutes together. - In addition to the Harden trade, the Cavaliers also recently acquired Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis from the Sacramento Kings, adding more backcourt depth. - The victory over the Knicks continued a strong stretch for the Cavaliers, who were 8-1 in February going into a game on the 26th. The Knicks, in contrast, have a 3-3 record since February 9, 2026. - Harden's presence is expected to ease the offensive burden on Donovan Mitchell, who expressed a sense of urgency to win a championship this season. - The trade also aims to clearly define roles, with Donovan Mitchell as the primary offensive leader, Harden as a strong secondary option, and Evan Mobley as the third option. - Prior to the trade, there were concerns about the on-court fit of the previous "core four" and Darius Garland's injury history.