Los Angeles Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue addressed the blockbuster trade that sent James Harden to Cleveland in exchange for Darius Garland during Wednesday’s postgame press conference at Intuit Dome.
“Everybody knows James was great for us, you know, his ability to make guys better, his ability to play every single night, his ability to score the basketball,” Lue said. “He was really a great guy. Everybody loved him, the organization, the players, and he was a rock star.”
Lue emphasized the excitement of adding Garland to the roster, describing him as a dynamic point guard with speed and scoring versatility. “Just his pace, his speed, his ability to play differently on the floor, be able to come off screens, be able to run pick and roll,” Lue said. “He’s a three-level scorer. He can get to the rim, got a great floater, pull-up shot, shoot the three. Just having a younger, two-time All-Star that I can teach and mold, it’s going to be fun.”
The coach noted Garland’s style allows the Clippers to shift from a Harden-centric offense to a faster, more movement-based system. “James was just such a huge part of how we played offensively. Now we’ve got to do some things differently. Darius is more of a pick-and-roll player, pace player, and it’s going to be different offensively,” Lue said.
Lue reflected on Harden’s impact and character, adding that conversations with him were positive. “He wanted to thank me. He said I was one of the best coaches he played for, loved the situation, the front office, the medical, the players, the coaches. We opened our arms and let him be himself.”
The coach also addressed how Garland could integrate alongside Kawhi Leonard, John Collins, and Kris Dunn. “We got to see how it works out, who’s healthy, who plays well. Darius catches on really quick, so we’ll see how things fit, but more movement, more actions, simplified sets,” Lue said.
When asked about Garland’s offensive ceiling, Lue was clear. “No ceiling offensively. I just envision using him like how we used Kyrie in Cleveland, give him freedom, let him play openly, and it’s exciting for our team.”
The Clippers struggled in their first game post-trade, falling 124-89 to the Cleveland Cavaliers, who led by Donovan Mitchell’s 29 points. Lue acknowledged the unusual circumstances of a trade impacting a game immediately but remained optimistic about the roster’s potential. “It feels weird, but DG didn’t have to travel, neither did James. We got a two-time All-Star who can play, and it worked for both sides,” he said.
The Clippers (23-26) now look ahead to Friday’s matchup against the Sacramento Kings, with Garland expected to adjust under Lue’s system and contribute once fully cleared from injury.
