Report: Cavaliers Don’t Want To Trade Darius Garland

According to NBA insider Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, the Cleveland Cavaliers don’t want to trade Darius Garland. 

There have been rumors that Klutch Sports Group could ask the Cavaliers to trade Garland after Donovan Mitchell signs his extension. 

Cleveland wants to build around Garland, Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, which means a trade for New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram is unlikely to happen. 

“Cleveland continues to be mentioned by league personnel as a possible alternative for Ingram, but there’s no straightforward path to making such a deal work with the Cavaliers,” Fischer wrote. “While Cleveland holds interest in Ingram and values his skillset, sources said, Cavs personnel have maintained a reluctance to breaking up the team’s core of Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, as NBA figures continue preparing for Mitchell to sign a lucrative extension. Without parting with Allen, who’s long been on New Orleans’ radar, it’s difficult to find a path to bring Ingram to Northeast Ohio.

“Cleveland doesn’t want to part with Garland, either, sources said, even if his representation at Klutch Sports attempts to push his own trade.”

Garland averaged 18.0 points, 2.7 rebounds and 6.5 assists in 2023-24 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 beat the Orlando Magic in the first round of the 2024 playoffs in seven games but lost to the Boston Celtics in the second round in five games. 

The Cavaliers drafted Garland with the fifth pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. The 24-year-old has career averages of 18.4 points, 2.6 rebounds and 6.7 assists.

Garland doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract. 

The Cavaliers hired Kenny Atkinson as their new head coach. He’s signing a five-year deal.