NBA Analyst Claims Cavaliers Can ‘Emerge As Top Contender’ If Darius Garland Returns To All-Star Form

August 23, 2024

One NBA analyst believes the Cleveland Cavaliers can “emerge as a top contender” if Darius Garland returns to All-Star form.

NBA, Cavs, Cavaliers, Darius Garland, Spurs, Pelicans — Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

Garland made the All-Star team in 2022. The guard’s numbers have decreased since the Cavaliers acquired Donovan Mitchell from the Utah Jazz.

“If Garland can return to his All-Star form while facilitating opportunities for Mitchell and Evan Mobley to thrive — creating three high-level scorers on offense — the Cavs could emerge as a top contender in the East,” Ethan Sands of Cleveland.com wrote. “But it all starts with Garland.”

Garland averaged 18.0 points, 2.7 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.1 blocks last season 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.

The Cavaliers went 48-34 last season. They beat the Orlando Magic in the first round of the playoffs in seven games but lost to the Boston Celtics in the second round in five games.

“A stronger, reinvigorated and confident Garland is exactly the player the Cavs need him to be while leading the charge on offense,” Sands wrote. “His ability to change speeds and his twitchiness make him a difficult guard for anyone, earning the respect of top defenders in the league.”

Cleveland drafted Garland with the fifth pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. The 24-year-old, represented by Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group, has career averages of 18.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.1 blocks.

The New Orleans Pelicans and San Antonio Spurs tried to trade for Garland this offseason, an NBA source told Hoops Wire.

The Cavaliers told the Pelicans and Spurs they weren’t trading Garland, the source said.

“I am just a huge fan,” new Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson said of Garland at his introductory press conference. “I can’t tell you how many times he destroyed us when we were in Brooklyn. He’s obviously a great shooter [and] an underrated passer.”