Report: Darius Garland Considered Requesting Trade From Cavaliers

According to NBA insider Brian Windhorst of ESPN, Darius Garland considered requesting a trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers. 

However, Garland never did it. 

“I do think there was a time where Darius was seriously considering whether or not he should try to press the issue with a trade,” Windhorst said. “And this is all again buried in nuance. Did he ever ask for a trade? To my knowledge, no. Was there an indication that he might ask for a trade? Yes.”

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.

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, 6.7 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.1 blocks. 

According to NBA reporter Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com, the Cavaliers would need to be “blown away” by an offer to trade Garland.

Cleveland is expected to keep Garland, who is represented by Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group. 

“He has been linked to San Antonio, New Orleans, Minnesota and the Los Angeles Lakers — even though sources maintain that the Cavs would need to be blown away by an offer to even consider the possibility,” Fedor reported. “The plan all offseason has been to enhance the roster around Core Four — Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen — rather than making a drastic shakeup.”

Cleveland, who hired Kenny Atkinson as its new head coach, wants to build around Garland, Mitchell, Mobley and Allen. It would shock numerous people around the NBA if Garland or Allen were traded this offseason.