Since the trade, the Cleveland Cavaliers acquired 16-year veteran and 11-time NBA All-Star James Harden, and I believe it’s been the jolt of energy this team needed.
Through 6 games, the Cavs are 5–1 and starting to find the rhythm necessary for a serious playoff push toward the NBA Finals.
Harden’s impact has been efficient and steady:
- 18.7 PPG
- 50.7% FG
- 47.1% from three
- 6.9 AST
- 2.4 REB
And he’s doing this while former Cavs point guard Darius Garland is sidelined in LA.
The bigger backcourt is making a difference — especially defensively. Cleveland has slightly improved its points allowed, and you can see the added physicality on that end of the floor.
What Harden has done best? He’s elevated everyone around him simply by being available. He’s brought a buzz back to the city and sparked Donovan Mitchell into forming a dangerous 1–2 punch.
Our Cavs reporter Rachel @1stladyofsports talked with James Harden after his debut in Cleveland as the Cavs beat the Wizards #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/Ob3NOZe2AE
— NEO Sports Insiders (@NEOSportsInside) February 12, 2026
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Now it’s about chemistry:
- Lock in the right starting five
- Define playoff bench roles
- Shorten the rotation with trust
The added depth from Dennis Schröder and Keon Ellis gives Cleveland veteran toughness and guard stability. Schröder and Harden bring leadership. Ellis defends the wing and isn’t afraid to guard multiple positions.
If Evan Mobley finds his Defensive Player of the Year form and continues playing at an All-Star level, if Jaylon Tyson keeps developing into a potential draft steal, and Jarrett Allen continues dominating the glass (double-doubles in 5 of the last 6 games), this team has a real two-year window to chase another championship.
The East looks like a three-team race: Detroit, New York, and Cleveland. The Cavs must aim for a top-two seed to secure home-court advantage as long as possible. The East is winnable.
Out West, the Oklahoma City Thunder are the team to beat. That Finals matchup wouldn’t be easy — but you don’t get banners without beating the best.
And somewhere, LeBron James is watching it all unfold… possibly contemplating one last return to the city that drafted him.
Storybook ending?
We’ll have to wait and see.
X: @iancle1
Instagram: @icchangeshowcase
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