Rich Paul To Indeed Meet With Cavs On Darius Garland Trade If Donovan Mitchell Stays

It appears we may have seen the last of the Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland backcourt with the Cavaliers.

As first reported by The Athletic, agent Rich Paul will indeed meet with the Cavs’ front office on a potential trade centered on Garland should Mitchell sign a contract extension with the team, confirmed Brian Windhorst of ESPN. Paul represents Garland (as well as Los Angeles Lakers stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis, among many others).

Paul has not commented publicly on these reports, nor has anyone else involved. Interestingly, Mitchell was among Garland’s biggest supporters as Garland struggled through a 2023-24 regular season and playoff run.

Sources told Hoops Wire that there is no bad blood between the Cavs backcourt starters, but many do wonder if they are a fit together on the floor. If the reports are true, that list includes Paul.

Some sources have said that if Mitchell signs a contract extension, the Cavaliers would make Garland available anyway, regardless of a request from Paul. So he could be asking them to do something that was already in their plans.

Multiple reports suggest Mitchell will indeed sign a maximum contract extension with the Cavs. Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN on Thursday said Mitchell told him that he is “happy in Cleveland.”

Garland averaged 18.0 points, 2.7 rebounds and 6.5 assists this 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. 

Mitchell can sign an extension for up to four years and around $200 million this offseason. He has a player option worth $37 million for the 2025-26 season.

One of the best scorers in the NBA, Mitchell can become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2025 if he declines that player option. 

Mitchell averaged 26.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 6.1 assists during the regular season while shooting 46.2% from the field, 36.8% from beyond the arc and 86.5% from the free-throw line. 

Klutch Sports will indeed meet with the Cavaliers this offseason to facilitate Darius Garland being traded, if Donovan Mitchell decides to stay, @WindhorstESPN confirmed on @ESPNCleveland.

The Mitchell/Garland backcourt is on their way to being split up. pic.twitter.com/ejRbSjZ1xN

— Evan Sidery (@esidery) May 17, 2024