Report: Clippers trading Harden to Cavs for Garland, 2nd-rounder

The Los Angeles Clippers are sending guard James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Darius Garland and a second-round pick, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania.

The second-rounder going to the Clippers is for this year, reports Kelly Iko of Yahoo Sports.

Harden reportedly recently requested a trade from the Clippers, a move that caught teammates, including co-star Kawhi Leonard, by surprise.

The former MVP is recording 25.4 points per game this season, his best mark in the last seven campaigns. Harden was also leading the Clippers with 8.1 assists while contributing 4.8 rebounds per contest. However, he and the team reportedly began discussing trade possibilities in recent days and the Cavaliers quickly emerged as a potential destination.

Harden's arrival provides the Cavaliers with a more experienced backcourt facilitator next to Donovan Mitchell. He's also an ideal pick-and-roll fit next to bigs Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley. He'll look to recreate the success with them that he's had playing alongside other established centers, including Ivica Zubac and Joel Embiid.

The 36-year-old won't have to wait long to return to the Intuit Dome as a member of the Cavs. The two sides square off Wednesday in L.A., potentially marking Harden's debut with Cleveland.

Garland leaves Cleveland seven years after the franchise drafted him fifth overall. The 26-year-old is averaging 18 points and 6.9 assists but has missed time due to various injuries this season. He's currently out with a toe sprain that has sidelined him for Cleveland's last nine contests.