Cavaliers' trade of Garland for Harden kept LeBron from returning to Cleveland

LeBron James came close to rejoining the Cleveland Cavaliers—the team he led to an NBA championship in 2016—but the acquisition of James Harden may have ultimately steered him away from Ohio and toward the Philadelphia 76ers, where he will now play for the next two years on a contract worth just $8 million.

According to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, it was not Harden's presence in Cleveland that deterred James from returning to his hometown team. Rather, the Cavaliers' decision to trade Darius Garland to acquire Harden proved decisive.

"It's not that the Cavs had Harden, but rather who they didn't have," Windhorst wrote on his personal account, as reported by BasketNews. "To get Harden from the LA Clippers in February, the Cavs traded Darius Garland, a point guard represented by Klutch with whom James had a long-standing relationship."

Garland Traded

Cleveland acquired Harden from the Los Angeles Clippers in February in exchange for Garland and a future second-round pick. At the time of the trade:

• James Harden was averaging 25.4 points and 8.1 assists per game
• Darius Garland was posting 18.0 points and 6.9 assists per game

Garland's departure meant the loss of a player with whom James reportedly shared a strong personal connection. Windhorst identified three factors that worked against Cleveland:

1. James did not prioritize returning home for family reasons
2. The Cavaliers did not acquire Jaylen Brown
3. Garland was no longer part of the roster

Star-Studded Lineup in Philadelphia

James will continue his career with the Sixers in pursuit of his fifth championship ring, choosing Philadelphia over other suitors. He will join a lineup featuring Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown, and VJ Edgecombe, making the 76ers one of the most talented teams in the NBA—a key factor that attracted the 41-year-old star.

Despite his legendary career, James will take a significantly reduced salary compared to the megacontracts he has signed in the past. As he stated when revealing his next destination, money was not his objective—fighting for another ring, with his opportunities dwindling, was the priority.