Sources: Clippers deal James Harden to Cavs, land Darius Garland - ESPN

The LA Clippers are trading 11-time All-Star guard James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers for guard Darius Garland and a second-round pick, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania on Tuesday.

Harden effectively had veto-power over any trade because of the unique nature of his contract. He worked through his exit with the Clippers (23-26) over the past few days, resulting in an outcome both sides were happy with — a «win now» opportunity for Harden, who is playing at a high level at age 36, and for the Clippers, a two-time All-Star in Garland who, at age 26, can help both now and in the future.

For the Cavaliers (30-21), the addition of Harden has the potential to elevate the team's ceiling as they continue to contend for a title out of the Eastern Conference. It aligns two high-powered, multi-faceted engines in Harden and Donovan Mitchell.

Garland is in the third year of a five-year, $197 million contract. Harden is making $39.3 million this season. Only $13.8 million of his $49.2 million salary for next season is guaranteed, however.

Harden had sought more security in negotiations with the Clippers over the summer after a solid season in which he was named third-team All-NBA, but LA declined to offer him a longer-term deal because of his age and an organizational prioritization of long term flexibility. Fellow superstar Kawhi Leonard has just one year remaining on his contract after this year.

As talks with the Cavaliers intensified over the past week, Harden sat out Sunday's game in Phoenix and Monday's game against the Philadelphia 76ers with what the team called «personal reasons.» Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said before the game that Harden was at his home in Phoenix.

The Cavaliers coincidentally play the Clippers on