The Cleveland Cavaliers are off to a difficult start after entering the season as the top Eastern Conference favorite. Oddsmakers expected Cleveland to be the class of the East, but they are currently eighth in the conference with a 14-11 record. Donovan Mitchell’s incredible individual performances aren’t enough to lead them to victories in a competitive landscape.
Opposing teams are apparently expecting the Cavaliers to make a big move if the struggles continue. Sam Amico of Hoops Wire revealed that teams are currently monitoring Cleveland’s situation in anticipation of Darius Garland hitting the trade block. The Cavaliers are strapped into big contracts to limit their potential trades heading into the deadline.
Garland is one of the few names that could be traded and get something of value back to change the team’s dynamic. “Garland is still working his way back after offseason toe surgery,” Amico said. “And people around the league see him as the swing piece if [Koby] Altman ever decides a reset is needed.”
Why Cavaliers Could Trade Darius Garland
The biggest criticism for Cleveland’s roster is if they have players that are too similar. Mitchell and Garland are one of the smallest backcourts in the league at a time when length is important. Opposing teams have wing players that can score easier against two shorter defenders. Mitchell also looks good running the offense this season to take away from Garland’s strengths as a point guard.
Frontcourt starters Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley also get accused of being similar players. Mobley clearly has a much higher ceiling and is a Defensive Player of the Year winner, but his struggles to improve have hurt them this season. Cleveland doesn’t seem likely to trade Mobley, and Allen could only get them so much in return.
Garland stands out as the most obvious trade piece since he’s a former All-Star and a couple of teams around the league lack a point guard. Rebuilding teams could benefit from having Garland as a new franchise player, and contenders missing a piece could see him fit in easier with them than he does with the Cavaliers.
Darius Garland Is Safe For Now
The report also shared that Cleveland is not expected to make a quick trade of Garland since he’s still getting back to normal from his offseason toe surgery. Injuries to Garland, Allen, and Max Strus give the Cavaliers more reason to play it safe and continue trying to improve with the current roster.
Amico said the following about what is believed around the league about Cleveland:
“There is still time, and the Cavs believe in what they have. But in this league, the outside noise only quiets down when the wins start stacking again.”
The rest of the Eastern Conference being flawed is a major positive for the Cavaliers to turn the ship around. Cleveland is only three games behind the second seed New York Knicks and 1.5 games behind the third place Boston Celtics. However, winning must come fast to prove they are contenders, or Garland may be the odd man traded.
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