Harden, an 11-time All-Star, was traded for the fifth time in his career after two and a half seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Cavaliers and Clippers have finalized a deal that will send 11-time All-Star James Harden to Cleveland and Darius Garland and a second-round draft pick to Los Angeles, ESPN and The Athletic reported Tuesday night.

Harden, 36, has been left out of the Clippers lineup the past two games for what the team called personal reasons.

The former NBA MVP and three-time scoring champion is averaging 25.4 points, 8.1 assists and 4.8 rebounds in 44 games this season, his 17th in the NBA.

Harden can block any trade because his contract is technically only for this season, which would require him to approve a swap. The second year of his two-year, $81.5 million contract is a player option and is not fully guaranteed.

Garland, 26, has been sidelined since Jan. 14 with a Grade 1 sprain in his right toe.

The two-time All-Star is averaging 18.0 points and 6.9 assists in 26 games this season. He is in the third year of a five-year, $197.2 million contract.

The Cavaliers (30-21) are an Eastern Conference contender and one of four teams 30 or 31 wins behind the first-place Detroit Pistons (36-12), which explains their desire to make a big move by acquiring Harden.

With a record of 23 wins and 26 losses, the Clippers continue to qualify for the Western Conference playoffs and are currently ranked ninth.

The NBA trade deadline is Thursday at 3pm (20:00 GMT).