Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Cavaliers Cut Guard Before Pistons Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Will Chesanek | Last updated Mar 3, 2026 8:14 PM ET

James Harden and the Cleveland Cavaliers narrowly escaped Brooklyn with a win on Sunday, beating the Nets by a score of 106-102. With the absence of star Donovan Mitchell , Harden led the team with 22 points and eight assists. Evan Mobley contributed in his typical steady fashion, providing 17 points and 13 rebounds. The Cavaliers come back home after their three-game road-trip to face the Detroit Pistons.

After a fantastic 2024-2025 NBA regular season, finishing 64-18 and No. 1 in the Eastern Conference, the heavily favored Cavaliers were upset by Tyrese Halliburton and the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Semifinals in only five games. Cleveland, sitting at 38-24 and 2nd in the Central Division this season, has not been able to rekindle the flames from the prior regular season. The Cavs' top brass have responded to this underperformance by making major roster changes throughout this season.

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45).© David Richard-Imagn Images

The biggest shakeup to the team was the departure of Darius Garland, 26, who was drafted No. 5 overall by the Cavaliers back in 2019. The two-time All-Star's seven-year tenure with the Cavs ended on February 4th when he was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers for 11-time All-Star and former MVP James Harden, 36. It was also an active trade deadline for Cleveland, which acquired veteran point guard Dennis Schroder, 32, and Keon Ellis, 26, by trading away forward De'Andre Hunter, 28.

Even with all of the roster shakeups, the Cavaliers appear not be satisfied just yet. And on Tuesday, Cleveland decided to get rid of another guard.

Darius Brown II is an undrafted rookie out of Utah State who was signed to a two-way contract by Cleveland on February 20th. Brown saw limited action for the Cavs, appearing in only one game for three minutes against the New York Knicks. Brown was held to one field goal attempt, which he missed, but was able to pick up a rebound.

"The Cleveland Cavaliers have waived two-way guard Darius Brown II, league sources told @hoopshype," HoopsHype's Michael Scotto wrote on X.