Trade Proposal Sends Cavaliers’ Darius Garland To Nets

One NBA analyst proposed that the Brooklyn Nets acquire Darius Garland from the Cleveland Cavaliers. 

Ishaan Bhattacharya of Fadeaway World proposed the following mock trade between the Cavaliers and Nets:

Brooklyn Nets Receive: Darius Garland

Cleveland Cavaliers Receive: Dorian Finney-Smith, Dennis Schroder, Day’Ron Sharpe, 2029 First-Round Pick (BKN)

Garland averaged 18.0 points, 2.7 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.1 blocks last season for the Cavaliers in 57 games 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.

Cleveland drafted Garland with the fifth overall 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, all with the Cavaliers. 

“The Nets could fully tank and put off acquiring players until next season, but this deal is extremely promising for its value,” Bhattacharya wrote in his NBA trade proposal. “Garland proved he can be an All-Star on a Playoff-caliber team in the 2021-22 season but has had to sacrifice to be Mitchell’s co-star. The 24-year-old guard can thrive on the Nets as a tank commander this season but will be expected to be the veteran point guard that sparks a turnaround a few seasons from now.”

The Nets missed the playoffs last season, while the Cavaliers lost to the Boston Celtics in the second round in five games. 

NBA writer Michael Saenz of Sir Charles In Charge is “not entirely sold on the idea of Garland being a long-term mainstay” in Cleveland. 

“I can’t help but wonder if their stance on that front could change if the Cavs get off to a slow start to the season – or if they get to a point where they feel they aren’t in a position to compete with the likes of the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, or Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference,” Saenz wrote. “I’m not entirely sold on the idea of Garland being a long-term mainstay with the Cavs just yet. This is not to say I don’t believe in the Garland-Donovan Mitchell backcourt but it isn’t the best fit from a basketball standpoint.”