Following the NBA trade deadline, the thoughtful decisions planned by various teams appear to be finalized. With Kawhi Leonard already defending the Clippers’ pre-deadline on the James Harden trade buzz, the forward has also added his opinion against the audience after the trade. The Los Angeles Clippers have traded Harden for the Cavaliers’ point guard Darius Garland, to which Leonard’s reaction has gained spotlight.
The team’s new athlete on board seems to be a move to shift a younger player. With Harden being 36 and Garland just 26, the decade gap could lead to more forgiving contract demands. According to BasketNews, the Clippers’ star forward shed positivity on this trade and welcomed Garland during the media sessions.
In a tweet, Kawhi said, “Very talented guard. 26, probably still got a bright side to him. I don’t think we’ve seen the best of him yet… Pace. A guy who knows how to pass the ball. Can shoot threes, got amazing touch. Competitor. I think that’s what he’s gonna bring to our table.” His words clarify that he’s not only welcoming Garland to the team but is also confident of his capabilities and what changes he’ll bring to the Clippers.
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Kawhi’s Glowing Praise For Garland Signals New Era
Leonard’s opinion on the trade sheds considerable positivity on Garland, which signals a new era for the Clippers. Despite his injury setbacks with the Clevelands, Kawhi seems to spotlight the athlete’s youth and untapped potential. Garland is known for quick pace, elite passing vision, smooth three-point stroke, and a fierce competitor mentality, which is exactly what the Clippers’ forward emphasized.
Darius Garland’s 2024-25 season with the Cavaliers has been productive. He averaged 20.6 points, 6.7 assists, 2.9 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and 2.5 turnovers over 75 games. Following his injury this season, his average dipped to 16 points, 6 assists, and 2 rebounds. This decrease in his performance seems to support Leonard’s line “I don’t think we’ve seen the best of him yet…” As the player had to slow down due to his injuries.
In contrast with Harden, who remains grateful for his time with the Clippers, his PPG towers at 24.1 and Garland’s at 18.8, but this is his 7 years of achievements against James’ 17. This further hints that the new era with the Los Angeles Clippers could bring growth in the near future. Regardless of this, Kawhi’s praise seems to add more positivity around the Harden trade buzz.
Published: Feb 5, 2026 12:16 pm