How significant is the Harden trade? Cavaliers' championship odds jump from eighth to third, two key big men to be energized

On February 4th Beijing time, according to renowned reporter Shams, the Los Angeles Clippers traded Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Garland and a 2026 second-round pick from the Cavaliers. Subsequently, the Cavaliers’ odds of winning the Eastern Conference and the championship quickly shifted.

Data shows that before the Harden trade was finalized, the Cavaliers’ odds to win the Eastern Conference stood at +500 (the lower the number, the more favored), and their odds to claim the championship were +2200. After the trade, those odds improved to +370 for the Eastern Conference and +1200 for the championship. Clearly, Harden’s arrival has made the Cavaliers more favored.

Before Harden’s arrival, the Cavaliers’ championship odds ranked eighth in the league. Now, their odds are only behind the Thunder and Nuggets, tied with the Knicks for third place in the league.

Former Cavaliers player and current ESPN analyst Shumpert spoke today on his show about the expected impact Harden will have on the Cavaliers.

“One undeniable fact is that Harden will greatly energize the team’s big men. Jarrett Allen sometimes disappears offensively, and Evan Mobley needs someone to ignite his attacking aggressiveness — Harden is the perfect candidate for that,” Shumpert said. “Regarding the pairing of Harden and Mitchell, both require a lot of ball possession. They must quickly develop chemistry and learn to coexist if they want to achieve success this season.”

Additionally, Shumpert noted that losing Hunter will affect the Cavaliers’ defensive strength. “I never wanted to see this happen because defense was the foundation of the Cavaliers. While Harden’s arrival boosts offense, defensive vulnerabilities cannot be overlooked. Now the Cavaliers must rely on Harden’s experience, hoping he can minimize mistakes during crucial playoff rounds and lead the team to victory with his powerful offense.”

Are you optimistic about the Cavaliers after Harden’s addition? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.