Trade Proposal Sends Brandon Ingram And 2025 First-Round Pick To Cavaliers, Darius Garland To Pelicans

One NBA analyst proposed that the Cleveland Cavaliers trade Darius Garland to the New Orleans Pelicans for Brandon Ingram and a 2025 first-round pick. 

Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report proposed the trade. 

“The Cavaliers ‘don’t appear very motivated’ to move any of their core four—Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen—according to Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer,” Buckley wrote. “Within that report, though, Fischer cited the ‘possibility that Garland’s representation at Klutch Sports could move to request a trade if Mitchell extends long term.’ So, regardless of what Cleveland wants, Garland could wind up wanting out—and New Orleans should gladly offer that opportunity.

“A dot-connecting distributor could do wonders for the Pelicans, and the last time Garland had control of an offense, he averaged 21.7 points and 8.6 assists while booking his first-so-far All-Star trip. New Orleans would probably have to follow this deal by trading away CJ McCollum, but the chance to have Garland’s shot-making, handling, creation and vision alongside Zion Williamson would be worth the extra effort.

“Cleveland could use this trade to finally address its need for a difference-making big wing. Ingram has some injury issues and must be paid soon—hence the protected first being packaged with him—but he’s still a 6’8″ scorer with the handles to free himself and the willingness to create for teammates. He could be a great complement to Mitchell, and if his three-pointer ever returned to the form he flashed early in his career—2.4 threes per game on 38.6 percent shooting between 2019-20 and 2020-21—Ingram might alleviate, or at least not exacerbate, some of the Cavs’ spacing issues.”

Garland averaged 18.0 points, 2.7 rebounds and 6.5 assists this season for the Cavaliers while shooting 44.6% from the field, 37.1% from beyond the arc and 83.4% from the free-throw line. He’ll make $36.7 million next season.

Meanwhile, Ingram averaged 20.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.6 blocks for the Pelicans while shooting 49.2% from the floor, 35.5% from 3 and 80.1% from the free-throw line. He’ll make $36 million next season in the final year of his contract. 

Ingram has one year left on his contract. He is eligible for a four-year, $208 million extension this offseason. According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Pelicans are expected to aggressively explore the trade market for Ingram this offseason. 

The Cavaliers are not interested in trading Garland or Allen to the Pelicans for Ingram, an NBA source told Hoops Wire.

However, if Garland requests a trade after Mitchell signs his extension, that could change.