The Los Angeles Clippers made a move toward the future on Tuesday night, trading away James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers to acquire Darius Garland.
It’s a swap of one point guard for another, landing a guy who’s a decade younger than Harden to lead the Clippers’ offense.
Garland just won’t get to do that right away.
He hasn’t played since Jan. 14 due to a sprain to his right big toe.
Garland was already listed as out on the injury report for Wednesday’s game between the Cavs and Clippers before the trade, which seems unlikely to change after the deal.
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When is Darius Garland coming back?
Reports indicate that Garland will likely come back after the All-Star Break.
NBA insider Mark Medina writes that there is “optimism” of such a post-ASG return for Garland.
Medina then singles out Feb. 19, which is a Clippers home game against the Denver Nuggets, as the game that Garland could re-take the floor.
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In the meantime, there should be more backcourt minutes for Kris Dunn, Kobe Sanders and Jordan Miller.
The Clippers have won 16 of their last 20 games at the time of the trade, so it’s a fascinating time for a shake-up. Harden reportedly asked out, and the Clippers did well to acquire a talented, younger player like Garland.
Now, they’ll just wait for him to heal up and get on the court.
