Darius Garland has been the topic of trade rumors since the Cavalier’s season ended. There were reports that Garland would request a trade if and when Donovan Mitchell signed a contract extension with the team. It has been a week since Mitchell signed his extension and Garland has made no formal trade request.

With teams in the east getting significantly better Cleveland must keep up. Here is the idea of the Cavaliers deciding to trade Garland and being blown away by an offer. A trade for Garland would make the most sense for all teams involved. So, therefore, Garland very well could end up being traded. 

Assembling Around Donovan

Following Donovan Mitchell’s three-year, $150.3 million contract extension. Cleveland now focuses on assembling the best possible team around their franchise player. Evan Mobley can sign a five-year extension this summer and is probably untouchable. Despite having a team-friendly two-year, $40 million contract and ranking as the Cavaliers’ second-best player the previous season. Jarrett Allen may be traded.

This highlights Darius Garland, who made an All-Star team in 2022—the year before Cleveland acquired Mitchell via trade. Garland is in the second year of a five-year, $197.2 million max contract; for the 2025–26 campaign. The Cavaliers are expected to have three max deals on the books in addition to Allen’s $20 million deal.

Although the 24-year-old point guard is just beginning to enter his prime. The Cavaliers may be forced to consider offers due to future financial constraints and the need for larger wings. In a conversation with Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report. Agent Rich Paul remained remarkably evasive regarding Garland’s future in Cleveland. 

Garland has a clear place to land if the Cavaliers make him available. Considering the team’s need and his agency ties.

Blockbuster Three-Team Trade 

Garland appears to be destined for the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers need a third star to go along with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Adding the Brooklyn Nets, who are currently rebuilding, would assist all three teams acquire what they require. 

This is how a Garland-to-L.A. trade might be structured:

Cleveland Cavaliers Receive: F Cam Johnson, G Austin Reaves, F Rui Hachimura
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: PG Darius Garland, G/F Caris LeVert
Brooklyn Nets Receive: PG D’Angelo Russell, SG Jalen Hood-Schifino, F/C Christian Wood, 2029 first-round pick via Lakers 

Let’s examine the implications of this transaction for each of the three teams. 

Cavs Load Up On Wings 

The Cavaliers will lose the best player in this trade. However, Cleveland gains a lot in terms of size, shooting, and future financial flexibility. When Garland was injured the previous season, Donovan Mitchell showed he could play point guard full-time. Cleaning the Glass, records show the Cavs’ net rating was higher with the five-time All-Star at floor general (plus-7.9). Then it was with Mitchell and Garland combined (plus-5.7). 

Additional Playmaking And Size

With Garland and LeVert departing. Reaves help make up for the loss of playmaking. In addition to averaging 15.9 points and 4.3 rebounds per game, the 26-year-old also averaged a career-high 5.5 assists. Reaves, who is 6’5″, gives the Cavaliers a significantly larger starting backcourt. He can also be used as a sixth man who can create opportunities for others to score. 

Johnson, 28, is a superb floor-spacing option who can play either forward position with his 6’8″ stature. He averaged 14.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 41.2 percent from three. Including 46.2 percent from the free throw line, in 47 games as a starter for Brooklyn last season. Together with Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, he might provide the Cavaliers with a formidable front-court. He could also drop down to power positions in really large lineups. 

Another large wing (6’8″, 230 pounds), Hachimura, 26, is a capable shooter and defender. Hachimura might be a first-choice starter for the Cavaliers in a redesigned lineup. In 39 starts, he scored 15.4 points and pulled down 4.8 rebounds while shooting 57.5 percent from the field. Along with 43.9 percent from three for the Lakers. He is an incredible player. 

Cavaliers New Rotation

All three players are in or near the prime of their careers. As well have multiyear contracts worth between $12.9 million and $23.6 million (Reaves and Johnson, respectively).

Mitchell, Max Strus, Johnson, Mobley, and Allen would be Cleveland’s starting five. With Reaves, Hachimura, Isaac Okoro (a restricted free agent), Dean Wade, and Georges Niang. As well as Sam Merrill, Craig Porter Jr., Ty Jerome, and Jaylon Tyson coming off the bench.

Lakers Add Another Star 

The Lakers remain far from being a championship club. Despite LeBron James agreeing to a new deal to stay. The team chose Dalton Knecht and Bronny James in the 2024 draft. Dejounte Murray, a former trade target, was previously dealt to the New Orleans Pelicans. Increasing the likelihood that the Atlanta Hawks won’t part with Trae Young. 

Garland is the best person to take over as point guard. The 24-year-old has played in five seasons. During the last three years. He has averaged 20.6 points, 7.7 assists, and 1.3 steals while shooting 38.9 percent from three-point range. James chose him in the All-Star draft. Over players like Mitchell, Jimmy Butler, Murray, and others.  

Klutch Sports Unites

Garland’s being sent to Los Angeles and a potential partnership with James and Davis should excite agent Rich Paul. It will provide the Lakers with another scorer and facilitator to lessen the load on James. In which he will turn 40 in a few months. LeVert, 29, would provide Los Angeles with some extra offensive punch. Last season he averaged 14.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. 

However, the Lakers should not be surprised that they are moving on from Russell and Wood. Reaves and Hachimura have been good additions. Hood-Schifino played most of last season in the G League. In reality, the Lakers may try to safeguard the 2029 pick. (they may also trade their 2031 first-round pick in a later trade).

In their new starting lineup after the trade would feature Garland, LeVert, James, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Davis would start for the Lakers. With Knecht, Gabe Vincent, Max Christie, Jaxson Hayes, and Cam Reddish coming off the bench. Additionally, the trade would remove $2.2 million from LA’s books. This is significant for a team that is currently expected to exceed the second-apron luxury tax threshold by $1.2 million.

All Out Rebuild In Brooklyn 

The Brooklyn Nets are starting a complete rebuild. This is demonstrated by their trade of Mikal Bridges and their arrangement with the Houston Rockets. To receive a portion of their own first-round choices back.  

The 28-year-old Johnson no longer fits this team’s schedule. As Brooklyn will still be paying the forward $68.8 million over the following three years. A trade that included Wood and Russell’s expiring contracts. In exchange for him would free up $17.5 million in cap space. In addition to Ben Simmons‘ $40.3 million contract, which is set to expire next summer. Teams willing to dump selections and contracts would find Brooklyn to be a perfect landing place. 

Russell and Wood might stay in Brooklyn. Or however, the Nets may try to trade them to a competitor. One that needs a point guard or a big man who can stretch the floor. In his final season with the Nets in 2018–19. Russell, 28, averaged 21.1 points and 7.0 assists per game, earning a spot on the All-Star squad. In an effort to increase his value and have the seasoned floor general moved closer to the trade deadline. Brooklyn might try. 

Hood-Schifino, was selected 17th overall in the previous season’s draft and just turned 21. He might develop into a key player for the future of a youthful Nets squad.

The Lakers’ 2029 first-round selection, which will almost definitely be awarded to the Nets following LeBron James’ retirement, is theirs.

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