The Cleveland Cavaliers head into the 2025-26 season as legitimate championship contenders in the Eastern Conference. Therefore, Koby Altman will likely be open to trade ideas that give his team a better shot in the postseason.
A recent trade idea from Thomas Carelli of “Fantasy on SI” could do just that. Carelli’s proposal would see the Cavaliers send Darius Garland to the Orlando Magic in return for four players.
The proposed trade looks like this:
Orlando Magic Receive: Darius Garland
Cleveland Cavaliers Receive: Jonathan Isaac, Anthony Black, Wendell Carter Jr, Jett Howard, 2029 1st Round Pick
“In this hypothetical, the Cavs will attain a bunch of depth pieces that they are able to absord,” Carelli wrote. “After this trade, they only have to trim one player from their roster, so it proves acceptable. The Cavs get Anthony Black, a respectable shooter and bench player. His 2024 was not glaring, but he has what it takes to be a good player.
Let him play behind some elite veterans in Cleveland. They also get Jonathan Isaac. The 28-year-old has been hurt, but in healthier days, he is an above-average, lengthy power forward. Another nice depth piece.”
Garland is expected to miss Cleveland’s training camp and preseason. He could also be sidelined for the start of the upcoming season. However, given the Magic’s need for a lead point guard, a move for Garland wouldn’t be too far outside the realm of possibility.
Garland May Miss Cavaliers’ Preseason Preparations
When speaking to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com, Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson admitted that he’s not expecting Garland to be ready by the start of training camp.
“I don’t,” Atkinson said. “That’s not a medical opinion or anything. That’s just my feeling on the situation. Under promise and over deliver. We’re not going to rush or push this. If he is ready, then great. I will rely on (trainer) Steve (Spiro) and Darius to tell me. But I don’t expect that.”
Garland has proven to be a key member of the Cavaliers’ rotation in recent years. He thrived on offense under Kenny Atkinson last season. However, his defensive limitations could make Carelli’s trade idea an appealing one due to the presence of Isaac and Carter Jr.
Trading Garland is Unlikely
While Carelli’s trade idea makes sense on paper, it’s highly unlikely that the Cavaliers would sign off on a trade like this. Garland is a key member of Atkinson’s rotation and has developed a strong partnership with Donovan Mitchell in the backcourt. Breaking up that duo now could turn out to be a mistake.
However, if the Cavaliers fall short in their push for a championship in the upcoming season, Garland will likely find his name being shopped around the NBA. His defensive limitations have been well documented in recent months. Unless Garland shows significant improvement on that side of the floor, Cleveland’s front office will likely remain open to trade talks, further down the line.
Nevertheless, the focus for the upcoming season will be on winning a championship, not trading away an All-Star guard for a string of role players.
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