The Cleveland Cavaliers are set up to be the top contender in the Eastern Conference this season.
Despite being the East’s No. 1 seed last year, they were dispatched by the Indiana Pacers in the Conference Semi-Finals, marking the second consecutive year their postseason would end at the hands of the eventual conference champion.
Now, with the Boston Celtics and Pacers expected to take a step back, Cleveland has no excuses this season to underperform.
However, considering past playoff failures, should the Cavaliers consider trying to shake up their core ahead of the 2025-26 season?
Cavs Trade Proposal Deals Darius Garland to Pelicans for Dejounte Murray
In a trade idea from Sports Illustrated’s Ethen Hutton, the Cleveland Cavaliers would give their backcourt a makeover by trading oft-injured floor general Darius Garland for New Orleans Pelicans point guard Dejounte Murray, amongst other things.
Cleveland Cavaliers receive: Dejounte Murray, Derik Queen, 2029 first-round pick
New Orleans Pelicans receive: Darius Garland
While Murray is still recovering from a torn Achilles tendon suffered last season, Garland may miss close to, if not the same amount of time, recovering from toe surgery.
Cleveland’s incumbent point guard has also missed games in the playoffs for the last two years, and at this point, is just not reliable.
Murray, a former first-round pick, provides a clear defensive upgrade over Garland and little to no drop-off in offensive production.
“Darius Garland’s trade market is somewhat unpredictable coming off a major toe surgery set to keep him sidelined for the next four months as he continues to rehab. The Cavaliers haven’t made any real offer to shop the two-time All-Star, but teams have expressed interest,” wrote Hutton.
“Garland will miss a chunk of the season to start the year coming off toe surgery, meaning the Cavaliers will be forced to find their footing without the former No. 5 overall pick. Without Garland, Mitchell and Mobley also likely see a small, but noticeable bump in their respective numbers.”
To make matters better, Cleveland would also be getting future assets in the proposed deal, receiving a future first-round pick and New Orleans’ lottery selection, Derik Queen, as someone who can spell Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley throughout the long NBA season.
Would the Pelicans Say Yes?
While the trade is a slam dunk for the Cleveland Cavaliers, the answer for the New Orleans Pelicans is a bit more complex.
Garland could be a perfect running mate to pair with Zion Williamson, but New Orleans just acquired a new point guard in Jordan Poole this summer from the Washington Wizards.
Sports Illustrated’s Logan Struck provided analysis on the trade proposal for the Pelicans.
“Another concern for the Pelicans in this deal is that they would practically be forced to move Poole to a sixth-man role, except he is set to make $31.8 million next season, making that an absurd price tag for a bench player,” wrote Struck.
“However, adding Garland would only work for New Orleans if they start Herb Jones and Trey Murphy III alongside him, meaning Poole would be pushed to the second unit.”
While the Pelicans’ starting lineup would certainly become a bit more dynamic with this trade, giving up future assets for a team in their position doesn’t sound like the smartest thing to do.
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