Report: Rich Paul Would Speak With Cavaliers About Trading Darius Garland If Donovan Mitchell Signs Extension

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

Paul is Garland’s agent. 

“Furthermore, rival executives believe the Cavs will have to seriously evaluate the fit of Mitchell and Garland and ultimately may have to choose one or the other,” Charania, Vardon and Lloyd wrote. “Should Mitchell decide to stay long term, sources briefed on the matter say Garland’s representation, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, would have a conversation with Cavs officials on potentially finding a new home for the one-time All-Star.”

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. 

Mitchell can sign an extension for up to four years and around $200 million this offseason. He has a player option worth $37 million for the 2025-26 season.

One of the best scorers in the NBA, Mitchell can become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2025 if he declines that player option. 

Mitchell averaged 26.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 6.1 assists during the regular season while shooting 46.2% from the field, 36.8% from beyond the arc and 86.5% from the free-throw line. 

The Cavaliers are 58-37 when Mitchell and Garland are in the lineup together. Cleveland acquired Mitchell from the Utah Jazz in 2022. 

According to NBA insider Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report, Mitchell could force his way off the Cavaliers this offseason.

Mitchell has the Miami Heat “high on his list.”

“The Cavaliers are still competing, but many in NBA circles believe that, barring a title, Mitchell will force his way out of Cleveland this offseason,” Pincus wrote. “Of all the NBA guards, Mitchell may be the closest to Heat legend and Hall-of-Famer Dwyane Wade. He will be 28 before next season (seven years younger than Jimmy Butler). He has a strong relationship with Bam Adebayo and is said (by multiple NBA insiders) to have Miami high on his list of destinations.”