One NBA analyst proposed that the Cleveland Cavaliers and Orlando Magic make a trade with each other this offseason.
Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report proposed that the Cavaliers trade Darius Garland to the Magic for Jalen Suggs, Jett Howard and a top-five protected 2027 first-round pick.
“After an East-leading 64 wins in the regular season, the Cavaliers had a disappointing playoff run that the Pacers ended in the second round,” Bailey wrote. “And despite their gaudy record and point differential, that early flameout will almost certainly raise questions that have lurked in the background of the entire Donovan Mitchell era.
“Can Mitchell and Darius Garland, given how small they are, really survive on defense as a starting backcourt? Is there too much overlap between Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen? Expect plenty of rumors and fake trades aimed at answering those questions this summer.”
The Cavaliers had the top record in the East this year. They swept the Miami Heat in the first round of the playoffs but lost to the Indiana Pacers in the conference semifinals in five games.
Many people in NBA circles don’t believe Cleveland can win it all with Garland and Mitchell in the same backcourt since both players are small, which is why Bailey has the Cavaliers swapping Garland for Suggs.
“That’s what this one potentially does, giving Cleveland a much more defensive-minded guard to play alongside Mitchell in Suggs. Swapping him in for Garland would almost certainly slow the offense a bit, but the tradeoff might be worth it for a more viable playoff defense,” Bailey wrote. “As for Orlando’s side of the deal. Well, you get the picture by now. The Magic look primed to make a move for a point guard. And if Garland is available, they at least have to inquire.”
The Magic lost to the Boston Celtics in the first round of this year’s playoffs in five games. They need a point guard to set the table for Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner and Garland fits that bill.
Garland averaged 20.6 points and 6.7 assists this season in 75 games. He made his second All-Star team.
However, the Vanderbilt product struggled in the Pacers series, averaging only 14.0 points while shooting 34.2% from the field and 16.7% from 3.
Garland will make $39,446,090 next season.
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