NBA Insider Believes Lakers ‘Would Undoubtedly Be Interested’ In Darius Garland If Cavaliers Look To Trade Him

One NBA insider believes the Los Angeles Lakers “would undoubtedly be interested” in Darius Garland if the Cleveland Cavaliers look to trade him. 

Garland, LeBron James and Anthony Davis have the same agent (Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group).

“The Cavaliers reinvested in Donovan Mitchell and may stick with their core of Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, Mitchell and Garland. If something changes, the Lakers would undoubtedly be interested in the team’s young point guard,” Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report wrote. “Garland, 24, averaged 21.7 points and 8.6 assists in his 2021-22 All-Star season. The Lakers would view him as their cornerstone point guard, and the price would be presumably both of L.A.’s available first-round picks. Taking in his salary would also be challenging, but Russell, Hachimura and Hood-Schifino are probably the cleanest path. It’s a lot for the Lakers to give up in depth and potential draft compensation.”

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 has career averages of 18.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.1 blocks. 

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. 

Cleveland lost to the Boston Celtics in the second round of the 2024 playoffs in five games, while the Lakers lost to the Denver Nuggets in the first 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. 

The Lakers’ new head coach is JJ Redick, who has yet to coach above the youth level. He played 15 years in the NBA with the Orlando Magic, Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, Pelicans and Dallas Mavericks.