Pelicans Expected To Resume Trade Talks With Cavs, Pursue Darius Garland

The New Orleans Pelicans held trade talks with the Cavaliers ahead of the NBA trade deadline in February and are expected to do so again this summer, per Christian Clark of NOLA.com.

The Pelicans’ target? No less than Cavs point guard Darius Garland, who very well could become available.

It is believed that Garland’s camp, headed by agent Rich Paul, will request a trade if All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell agrees to a contract extension with Cleveland.

As for the Pelicans, head of basketball operations David Griffin is the former GM of the Cavs and was once the boss of the team’s current president of basketball operations Koby Altman. So they know each other well and have a solid working relationship. Perhaps they will also be natural trade partners if Garland does indeed look for a way out this summer.

Meanwhile, Clark and other reports suggest that a Pelicans offer for Garland would involve Brandon Ingram and his $36 million expiring contract. Garland has four years and $163.2 million left on his contract. That includes $36.7 million next season. His deal is fully guaranteed with no options.

During an interview with NBA reporter Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report, Paul was asked if Garland would request a trade from the Cavaliers if Mitchell signed an extension this summer. 

Paul gave Haynes a detailed answer. 

“There is not much to say,” Paul said. “I think people have their own opinions of what works and what doesn’t work. For me, I think people around the league know and you definitely know this about me, I’m very matter of fact with my approach on everything. If there was something to be discussed, I would discuss it.

“As of now, there’s nothing to discuss on that. My job is to evaluate every situation for every guy that we as a company represent. I’m a representative of players and I help advise them on business decisions. It’s a lot more to it than just negotiating a contract after four years. Some guys choose to do that and only focus on that. I’m different. I try to look at everything.”

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. 

“You try to position guys a certain way to continue to have value,” Paul said. “It’s the same way I go about the draft. I think you know that as well. I’m not really focused on certain things in terms of rankings. The league is one that is fluid. It doesn’t stop for nobody. It continues to move on.

“And so these guys have to make sure they understand that having the talent they have, and the production, allows them to maintain value. That value transitions into compensation and when you sum it all up, it’s really just a good ass job and sometimes you have to protect that for as long as you can. That’s where my mindset is for all the guys. No matter if they’re a max player or a minimum guy. My job is to prepare, educate and execute for my clients.”

Garland averaged 18.0 points, 2.7 rebounds and 6.5 assists for the Cavaliers this season while shooting 44.6% from the field, 37.1% from beyond the arc and 83.4% from the free-throw line. 

Ashish Mathur contributed to this report.