The Cleveland Cavaliers have no excuses as they enter the 2025-26 NBA season.
The Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers are predicted to have down years without their star players, Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton.
Cleveland must capitalize on the opportunity in front of them.
Despite boasting one of the best rosters in the Eastern Conference over the last few seasons, they have nothing to show for it besides a few disappointing early playoff exits.
They have a roster brimming with young talent, such as Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, De’Andre Hunter, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen.
But it’s obvious something just hasn’t clicked within the young nucleus, and it may be time to shake up the roster before they waste anymore of Mitchell’s prime.
Cavs Trade Idea Ships Out Darius Garland, Lands Jazz’s Lauri Markkanen
In a trade idea proposed by Eddie Bitar of Fadeaway World, the Cleveland Cavaliers would ship out their starting point guard, Garland, for the Utah Jazz’s star forward, Lauri Markkanen, who is already familiar with the Cavs.
Cleveland Cavaliers receive: Lauri Markkanen
Utah Jazz receive: Darius Garland, Max Strus, 2031 first-round pick (CLE)
While the Cavs are certainly giving up a lot to land Markkanen, he could be a better fit in Cleveland as opposed to the ball-dominant Garland.
“The Cleveland Cavaliers would completely transform their identity with this trade, moving from a guard-heavy roster to a size-dominant lineup. By adding Lauri Markkanen (19.0 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 0.7 APG) to a frontcourt already featuring Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, Cleveland would boast one of the most intimidating trios in the NBA,” wrote Bitar.
“Each player brings elite length, rim protection, and rebounding, while Markkanen’s ability to stretch the floor adds perfect spacing. This new core gives the Cavaliers a chance to control the paint, something that’s been missing in their recent playoff exits.”
The deal leaves the Cavaliers with less depth in their backcourt, but it would open up more opportunities for Mitchell and new acquisition Lonzo Ball to run the floor in Cleveland.
Garland has been a productive player during his time with the Cavs, but his durability has been a problem in recent years, with the former lottery pick missing crucial playoff games over the last two seasons.
Would the Jazz Make This Trade?
It feels like the Utah Jazz have been rebuilding forever at this point, ever since the team decided to tear it down by shipping Mitchell to the Cleveland Cavaliers and Rudy Gobert to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
They don’t appear ready to be able to put a winner on the floor just yet, and Markkanen has slowly outgrown Utah’s timeframe at 28 years old.
While trading the lone former All-Star on the Jazz’s roster signals more losing and tanking, it’s in Utah’s best interest to get a return on the European sharpshooter before it’s too late.
“For the Utah Jazz, trading Lauri Markkanen would be a tough decision, but the return package offers significant long-term upside. Darius Garland (20.6 PPG, 6.7 RPG), still just entering his prime, provides Utah with a proven playmaker and efficient scorer who can instantly take over as the centerpiece of their rebuild,” continued Bitar.
“His combination of shooting, vision, and ball-handling gives the Jazz an offensive foundation around which they can develop their younger talent. Garland’s presence also ensures Utah remains competitive while still aligning with their rebuilding timeline.”
If the Jazz want to continue their long-term rebuild and gain a young talent in the process, this deal would be a no-brainer for Danny Ainge and company.
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