Report: Cavaliers, Clippers in 'advanced discussions' on James Harden-Darius Garland deal

Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix reports that the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Clippers are in "advanced discussions" on a deal that would swap their two All-Star guards, James Harden and Darius Garland.

"The Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Clippers have had advanced discussions on a deal that would send James Harden to Cleveland in exchange for Darius Garland, sources tell Sports Illustrated," Mannix wrote.

Shortly after Mannix's report, ESPN's Shams Charania reported that the Clippers and Harden "are working through whether the sides can find a deal" ahead of the February 5 NBA trade deadline.

Clippers, Cavaliers working towards James Harden-Darius Garland trade: Report

No deal has been finalized as of yet, but a trade between the two franchises makes a lot of sense.

The Cavaliers know they have to contend for a championship this season. With the state of the Eastern Conference, they have to strike while the iron is hot.

Garland's future outlook is much brighter given his age (26), but his inability to stay consistently healthy has plagued Cleveland in seasons past.

Harden, while older (36), provides a much higher floor than Garland, and despite his age, has shown the ability to stay healthy for longer stretches.

A backcourt of Donovan Mitchell and Harden doesn't sound the best defensively, but offensively, it has the potential to be explosive.

For Los Angeles, they're currently the oldest team in NBA history with an average age of 33.2 years. While they may be sacrificing their short-term success by dealing Harden, they could be getting a perennial All-Star point guard in Garland.

It remains to be seen if both sides can agree on terms ahead of Thursday's deadline.

More Cavaliers news:

• Report: Cavaliers looking to trade former No. 2 overall pick ahead of trade deadlin
• Report: Cavaliers reviewed Bucks' Bobby Portis trade before Kings deal
• LeBron James urged to postpone retirement, but not for the Cavaliers or Lakers
• Cavaliers' Craig Porter Jr. makes basketball history not done in NBA since 1993