If the Cleveland Cavaliers do decide to trade Darius Garland this offseason, they might have no shortage of possible partners, with eight teams reportedly possibly interested in the former All-Star guard, including multiple Eastern Conference rivals.
“Things will probably come to a head in the coming days, and several league sources shared with Right Down Euclid that if Garland demands a move to an Eastern Conference team, the Orlando Magic, the Brooklyn Nets, the Washington Wizards, and the Toronto Raptors could all enter the conversation,” wrote Evan Dammarell. “If it expands to the entire NBA, then similar sources shared that the San Antonio Spurs, Minnesota Timberwolves, the Utah Jazz and the New Orleans Pelicans could send Cleveland trade proposals.”
According to a report from earlier this month, Cleveland’s asking price in a trade for Garland would be high, though the Cavs could be looking to shake things up by moving on from the 24-year-old who just completed his fifth NBA season.
His averages for the 2023-24 NBA season fell off from the previous two campaigns, ending at 18.0 points and 6.5 assists per game over his 57 regular season appearances. His participation was limited by an injury to his jaw that sidelined him for much of December and into January.
He returned in time to help the Cavs earn the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference. In the 2024 NBA Playoffs, they earned their first series win since 2018 with a seven-game victory against the Orlando Magic in the first round. Cleveland was then eliminated in the second round by the eventual NBA champion Boston Celtics in five games.
Trade rumors surrounding Garland resurfaced almost immediately after that setback, with the Spurs reportedly among the teams that had done due diligence on the former first-round pick (No. 5 overall) in the 2019 NBA Draft.
The Cavs remain without a new head coach, with a decision between NBA associate head coache James Borrego and assistant coach Kenny Atkinson reportedly coming soon. Whoever lands the job undoubtedly will have an opinion on Garland’s value, but the Cavs still may want to make some significant changes to the roster if an attempt to advance further in the playoffs.
Speculation involving a possible Garland trade dates back to last offseason, when he and teammate Donovan Mitchell found humor in the rumors. Now, Mitchell’s future with the Cavs could have an impact on Garland’s outlook. The 27-year-old franchise player is in line for a lucrative contract extension, and in turn, Garland’s camp reportedly could look for an exit strategy if Mitchell does sign a new long-term deal to stay in Cleveland.
If that is indeed the case, it looks like the Cavs may have plenty of areas to explore for Garland’s possible new home.
