
Harden lands in Cleveland as deadline reshapes the East
The 2026 NBA Trade Deadline delivered a wild mix of winners and losers: James Harden lands in Cleveland (with Darius Garland heading to the Clippers) to boost the Cavaliers’ offense, and Anthony Davis moves to Washington, signaling a broader reshuffle. Giannis stays in Milwaukee; Knicks preserve flexibility; Nikola Vucevic goes to Boston; Ivica Zubac goes to Indiana; Utah adds Jaren Jackson Jr. and accelerates its rebuild. Dallas’s controversial Luka Dončić deal is widely criticized, and Sacramento’s deadline activity leaves questions about its plan. Overall, Harden’s Cleveland move reshapes the East and sets up a busy summer with several teams recalibrating for 2026–27.


