Darius Garland will now begin a new chapter in his NBA career, this time with the Los Angeles Clippers. The guard was one of the high-profile trades ahead of the 2026 trade deadline.
The Cleveland Cavaliers acquired the services of former MVP James Harden. Garland will now link up with Kawhi Leonard as the new-look Clippers look to make one final push for the playoffs after their late surge this season.
Darius Garland Shares an Emotional Moment With Former Cavaliers Teammates
Soon after the trade, the Clippers hosted the Cavaliers, who won 124-91. While Garland did not lace up for the game, he was present at the Intuit Dome, cheering for his new outfit.
There was also a wholesome moment with his Cavaliers teammates, dapping and hugging them ahead of the game. At the time of writing, the guard is recovering from a toe strain that has sidelined him since January. Per reports, he is expected to return to action as early as Feb. 19 against the Denver Nuggets.
Darius Garland shares a moment with his former Cavs teammates after the game tonight —
What a moment, Respect. 🤝✊
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) February 5, 2026
Earlier, Garland weighed in on his trade to the Clippers. He took to social media to send an emotional goodbye message to Cleveland fans, which was met with equally heartfelt replies from fans.
“I’ll never forget the night I was drafted to Cleveland back in 2019, and everything I’ve gained since. This city taught me more than I could have imagined. To the coaches, staff, front office, the Gilbert family, my teammates, and the fans,” he wrote.
“Thank you for the love and support. Cleveland will always be a second home, and I’ll carry these moments with me forever.”
Later, he told the media that he was aware his time with the Cavaliers was coming to a close. “I knew about it. It wasn’t a shock, though,” Garland told the Associated Press. ”
“It’s the business of basketball. Cleveland was great to my family, and I have respect for all of those guys over there. … Seven years was a really long time, and it was great. I’m glad I’m here now. The next chapter in my book.”
Garland’s arrival also brings in electric playmaking and his crafty shooting to the Clippers. The team is currently ninth in the West with a 23-27 record. While it will be a while before he adjusts to Ty Lue’s coaching playbook, the team is optimistic about his fit and their chances of making one final playoff push.
