Darius Garland Named Cavaliers’ Biggest ‘X-Factor’ By NBA Analyst

Darius Garland has been named the Cleveland Cavaliers‘ biggest “x-factor” by an NBA analyst. 

Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report believes Garland has to play well for the Cavaliers to make noise next season. 

“A series of injuries knocked Garland’s season off track right away, with the most significant being the broken jaw he suffered in mid-December,” Hughes wrote. “That one cost Garland nearly six weeks and several pounds, as part of the recovery process involved having his jaw wired shut. Upon returning, the point guard was never quite the same.

“Garland’s individual production was down across the board—points, assists, three-point shooting, even free-throw attempt rate. That contributed to the Cleveland Cavaliers’ offense slipping from seventh in 2022-23 to 18th last season, and it limited the team’s top four players—Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen—to just 819 total possessions together, about half as many as the year before.

“Garland isn’t Cleveland’s best player, but his absence and diminished status upon returning last year was a clear issue. Bright side: He should be healthier and ready to get Cleveland back into the top 10 on offense this coming season.”

Garland averaged 18.0 points, 2.7 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.1 blocks for the Cavaliers 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.

Cleveland 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, 6.7 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.1 blocks. 

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

The Cavaliers were not interested in trading Garland, sources said. 

When Mitchell signed his extension with the Cavaliers, he told the front office to keep Allen and Garland, sources said. Mitchell, one of the top players in the NBA, signed a three-year, $150 million extension with Cleveland.