The Cleveland Cavaliers have a tough task ahead of them after the poor start to the season. Cleveland was the lead favorite to make the NBA Finals in the Eastern Conference, but they’ve struggled to fall far from the top seed. A trade may come at some point to save the season if these struggles continue, and one player may actually enjoy being traded.
Darius Garland is a name frequently mentioned in trade rumors due to his lack of consistency on the court this season and having a lesser role behind Donovan Mitchell. A report from the Dallas Hoops Journal claimed that Garland has privately wondered about a new situation running the offense again:
“The intel from some NBA teams is a perception that Garland would like to run his own team again at some point, as opposed to being in a more complementary role next to Mitchell.”
Garland is a traditional point guard and has spent his entire basketball life running offenses until the Cavaliers acquired Mitchell. The All-NBA play of Mitchell requires him to have the ball more for Cleveland’s best chance of success. Garland wanting a bigger role does make sense if this situation continues falling apart.
Who Could The Cleveland Cavaliers Call?
Various teams in the NBA need a point guard right now, and multiple teams may be moving their current starting point guards. Garland joins LaMelo Ball, Trae Young, and Ja Morant as the hot point guards for other teams to potentially acquire. Cleveland could go all in on Mitchell running the offense and acquire another position for more length to end the current plan of two smaller guards.
The Brooklyn Nets are one team that clearly needs a new point guard like Garland. Egor Demin is starting in the spot, but he thrives more in the wing role getting open three-point looks. Michael Porter Jr. being expendable could land the Cavaliers a potential All-Star player this year given his incredible increase.
Rumors have circulated all season about the Sacramento Kings hoping to acquire any young point guard with star potential. Garland is their ideal player as someone in his prime that has shown they are good enough to make the All-Star team. Other teams trading their current point guard could look to add Garland in a three-team deal as well.
Should The Cleveland Cavaliers Trade Garland?
The most annoying thing about Cleveland’s struggles is that they’ve been dealing with injuries. A bad team can easily say injuries are the issue in this context and try to turn the ship around. Last season saw the Cavaliers having the top East record with this roster.
Garland has dealt with multiple injuries this season to miss an All-Star from the roster. Teammate Evan Mobley is currently out with an injury and an even bigger problem due to his skill set as a former Defensive Player of the Year.
The Cavaliers have another month and change before the trade deadline to see if they can salvage this situation to become true contenders by then. One positive is the East being so weak giving them a relatively easy path back to the third seed. However, more struggles could see Garland on the move for his growing desire to have his own team.
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