NBA Insider Believes Cavaliers Will Trade Darius Garland During 2024-25 Season

One NBA insider believes the Cleveland Cavaliers will trade Darius Garland during the 2024-25 season if they “get off to a slow start.”

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.

“I don’t believe it would be surprising if the moment arose this season in which Cleveland is open to discussing Garland deals in hopes of surrounding Mitchell with a better-fitting supporting cast.”

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

The Cavaliers told the Pelicans and Spurs they weren’t trading Garland, the source said. 

Garland averaged 18.0 points, 2.7 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.1 blocks last 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.

Cleveland drafted Garland with the fifth 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. 

The Cavaliers went 48-34 last season. They beat the Orlando Magic in the first round of the playoffs in seven games but lost to the Boston Celtics in the second round in five games. 

New Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson has spoken highly of Garland thus far, but things could change once games are played.