Tyronn Lue describes ‘different style’ after James Harden trade

The Los Angeles Clippers were trading James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Darius Garland and a second-round pick in 2026. The deal signals a major change in direction for the team as they look to get younger and reshape their playing style. The trade was completed on Tuesday and ends Harden’s run in Los Angeles after ongoing contract disputes.

After a 124-91 loss to the Cavaliers on Wednesday, the Clippers’ head coach Tyronn Lue he quickly looked back at the move and said that the team would be game “different style” moving forward.

He talked about Harden’s blockbuster trade during his postgame press conference at the Intuit Dome. While discussing life after the deal, he shifted his focus to Kawhi Leonard moving forward.

“With James (Harden) gone, we’ve had to play a different style of basketball and our younger guys have to understand … they’re never supposed to hold the basketball,” Lue explained. “There’s only one guy who should be holding the ball and that’s Kawhi (Leonard).”

“With James (Harden) gone, we had to play a different style of basketball and our younger guys have to understand … they should never hold the basketball. The only guy who should be holding the ball is Kawhi (Leonard).”

– You Lue
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— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 5, 2026

Because of his contract, Harden effectively controlled where he could be traded. Over the past few days, he and the Clippers worked together to find a way out it made sense for both parties.

The move gives Harden a chance to compete for a championship while still playing at a high level at 36, while Los Angeles brings in two-time All-Star Garland, who at 26 can contribute immediately and remain an important player moving forward.

Harden is in his 17th NBA season and will join his sixth team since being drafted third overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2009. He spent the past three seasons with the Clippers, averaging 21.1 points, 8.5 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game.

This season, Harden is averaging 25.4 points, 8.1 assists and 4.8 rebounds in 44 games. He continues to play at a high level as he joins a Cavaliers team that currently sits in fourth place in the Eastern Conference at 31-21.

The Clippers, now 23-27, are turning the page on a new chapter as they prepare for Friday’s matchup against the Sacramento Kings, their next test in the post-Harden era.