Trade Proposal Sends Darius Garland To Nets, Mikal Bridges And Dennis Schroder To Cavaliers

One NBA writer proposed that the Cleveland Cavaliers and Brooklyn Nets make a trade with each other this offseason. 

Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade idea between the Cavaliers and Nets:

The trade: The Brooklyn Nets trade Mikal Bridges and Dennis Schroder to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Darius Garland

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. 

Bridges averaged 19.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists while shooting 43.6% from the field, 37.2% from beyond the arc and 81.4% from the free-throw line. He’ll make $23.3 million in 2024-25. 

Schroder played for the Toronto Raptors and Nets this season. He averaged 14.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 6.1 assists while shooting 43.5% from the field, 37.5% from 3 and 83.6% from the foul line. The veteran will make $13 million next season. 

“The Nets already have an eye on Cleveland in case Donovan Mitchell decides he wants out, but they should consider eyeballing his backcourt mate, too,” Buckley wrote. “Garland might be an even better option for them since he’s younger and under contract through 2027-28.

“It’s probably going to take Brooklyn time to turn its trajectory around. Snagging a potential cornerstone like Garland to help set the long-term foundation could be hugely helpful for that—especially if, like here, he wouldn’t cost a single draft pick to acquire.

“Maybe that’s too optimistic, but the Cavs have long needed a true two-way wing like Bridges, plus they’d have Schröder to help Mitchell with the creation duties. And if they agree with a lot of folks—including Garland’s agent—who think Cleveland’s current backcourt bunch is untenable, then this provides both a potential fix for that problem and an official end to the swingman search.”

According to NBA insiders Shams Charania, Joe Vardon and Jason Lloyd of The Athletic, Rich Paul would speak with the Cavaliers about trading Garland if Mitchell signs an extension this offseason.

Paul is Garland’s agent.