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The Cleveland Cavaliers suffered a terrible 4-1 series loss to the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Now, the Cavs have a lot of decisions to make in the offseason, and if one of those decisions is to move Darius Garland, let’s look at three potential trade destinations.
Health was a massive issue for their team as Jarrett Allen missed the whole series, Donovan Mitchell missed the last two games, and Caris LeVert did not get to suit up for Game 5. Darius Garland was healthy for the whole series, but his inconsistencies have continued to haunt the Cavs fanbase.
After Garland’s All-Star appearance in 2022 and a third-place selection in the Most Improved Player race, there have been two subpar campaigns for the talented point guard from Vanderbilt. The fit of Garland and Mitchell seems to be an iffy one for the organization, so it remains to be a looming question what the front office wants to do with two of their franchise cornerstones.
Cavs head coach J.B. Bickerstaff seems to be gone after this year so hiring a new tactician may also affect the future of Garland in Cleveland. Since that is the case, here are three feasible landing spots for Garland.
New Orleans Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans is a spectacular new home for Darius Garland. The point guard depth of this squad continues to be underwhelming as head coach Willie Green usually relies on CJ McCollum and Jose Alvarado. McCollum is more of a natural two-guard so having Garland handle the ball-handling duties will be a huge advantage for New Orleans.
Since Garland is still 24 years old, his timeline can somewhat match the ascension of their core, such as Zion Williamson, Herbert Jones, and Trey Murphy III. Brandon Ingram is the main piece that can be shipped out for someone like Garland because Garland is a much more better fit with the construction of their roster.
Utah Jazz
With the nucleus of the Utah Jazz still in its early stages, it is very evident that they need a terrific initiator to fortify their offense. Keyonte George is the primary floor general who will likely lead their unit for the foreseeable future but acquiring Garland can jumpstart their rebuild. Collin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson are their other guards but sharing the rock with the others is not a priority for these two supreme scorers.
Garland would be a stellar choice for a youthful lineup, so Danny Ainge must heavily consider this approach. Moreover, Lauri Markkanen was from the Cavs franchise as well, and NBA pundits know how Markkannen’s career has soared under head coach Will Hardy. With the plethora of future assets for Utah, Garland’s camp will see a pleasant opportunity for growth in his NBA career.
San Antonio Spurs
Speaking of growth and development, the San Antonio Spurs is the best destination for Garland. Having the presence of Victor Wembanyama will be a spectacular key to unlocking his full potential. Additionally, Gregg Popovich will likely remain at the helm until Garland’s contract expires, so it is a more stable organization than staying in Cleveland, especially with the unsure future of Mitchell and the coaching staff.
Wembanyama alone is an intriguing asset that should drive Garland to consider moving to San Antonio, but they also have a couple of ancillary pieces that complement the style of Garland. Devin Vassell, Jeremy Sochan, and Keldon Johnson are some names who can thrive under the playmaking of Garland. Furthermore, the Spurs have a multitude of draft picks, including the No. 4 and No. 8 selection in the 2024 NBA Draft, so the future is bright in San Antonio.
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