With a balance of 15–14 and seventh of the Eastern Conferencethe Cleveland Cavaliers are moving on porous soil right now. Play-in arenas two wins away from the Raptors (sixth). A scenario that has reactivated the internal debate about the need for structural changes… and that of course gives rise to external murmurs.
The doubts have intensified with their latest losing streak, the last three in a row. Defeats against Warriors plagued by casualties, unforgivable setbacks against the Hornets and Bulls, and a tight victory against Washington that only came thanks to an individual exhibition by Donovan Mitchell.
And they cannot continue to shelter behind the losses of Evan Mobley or Jarrett Allen.
In this context, a specific idea is beginning to gain strength around the league: if Cleveland decides to make a move, the name that most seriously appears on the table is Darius Garland.
Garland: what others don’t give you
According to different executives, Garland is seen as one of the “safest” point guards in the potential market, especially in comparison with other high-level profiles that are also generating noise — such as Ja Morant, LaMelo Ball or Trae Young — but with a greater sense of contractual, physical, sporting and/or extra-sporting risk.
The general perception is that Garland – without being the same as last year who worked so well with Mitchell – maintains value, fit and room for growth (remember that he only turns 26 in January).
In addition, there is a belief among some teams that the player himself aspires at some point to return to lead a project as the main piece, something difficult in Ohio in the medium term when he leaves, in hierarchy, below Mitchell and in the same ranking as Mobley.
Two big bidders: Kings and Wolves
“Darius is the most stable option for teams looking to improve at the point guard position,” says a source from Dallas Hoops Journal. “There are franchises convinced that he can assume more offensive responsibility than he has now.”
Among the teams that have monitored their situation, the Sacramento Kings appear in the forefront, still looking for a long-term solution in the direction of the game after the departure of De’Aaron Fox. And neither Russell Westbrook nor Zach LaVine are the answer.
Behind them also emerge the Minnesota Timberwolves, whose interest in a point guard as the last piece in the assault on the ring, no one escapes. Of course, in both cases, Kings and T-Wolves, the great challenge is creating a package that is worth the Cavs: something not easy.
| Season | Age | Minutes | Points | Assists | Rebounds | Thefts | TC% | Triples% | Win Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | 25 | 30,7 | 20,6 | 6,7 | 2,9 | 1,2 | 56,2 | 40,1 | 8,1 |
| 2025-26 | 26 | 30,2 | 16,9 | 6,5 | 3 | 0,8 | 45,4 | 32,2 | 0,3 |
All this does not imply that a movement is imminent. Far from it. In Cleveland there are also questions about the leadership of Kenny Atkinson (COY 2024-25), although for now a drastic decision on the bench is not expected. The feeling, rather, is that the franchise is evaluating how far the current core can really go.
Things would have to go awry between now and February to precipitate movements that, normally, would wait until the calm of summer.
(Cover photo by Geoff Burke-Imagn Images)
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