Report: Cavaliers Have ‘High’ Asking Price For Darius Garland, Not Interested In Trading Him

According to NBA reporter Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com, the Cleveland Cavaliers have a “high” asking price for Darius Garland. 

The Cavaliers are not interested in trading Garland even though rumors keep circulating that Garland’s camp will request a trade after Donovan Mitchell signs his extension. 

“Sources tell Cleveland.com that any team asking about Garland has been turned away thus far, being told the asking price is high despite Garland coming off a dreadful season and chatter about his camp looking for an exit strategy if Mitchell re-signs long term — the current leaguewide expectation,” Fedor wrote. 

Garland averaged 18.0 points, 2.7 rebounds and 6.5 assists this season for the Cavaliers 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 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.

The Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans and San Antonio Spurs are interested in trading for Garland, who doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract. 

Mitchell is expected to sign an extension with the Cavaliers this offseason. According to NBA insider Matt Moore of The Action Network, Klutch Sports Group prefers Garland get traded to a team in the East. 

“League sources have said the Cavaliers have shown no urgency to move Garland,” Moore wrote. “However, several league sources independently noted this week that they expect Klutch Sports to prefer a trade for Garland if Mitchell is re-signed. That’d give Garland the most opportunity to grow and there’s an expectation they would prefer a move to stay in the East to give Garland a better opportunity at an All-Star appearance to boost his earning potential.

“Now, that might be rival front offices stirring trouble where there is none, and Garland is signed with the Cavaliers through 2028. The Cavaliers simply aren’t leveraged. The question is more about how that dynamic plays out if Garland prefers to go somewhere where he’d be the primary ballhandler. San Antonio has long been described as a perfect fit, but again, if the preference is for him to stay in the East, that’s not doable.”