Cleveland Cavaliers Offered Darius Garland in Trade for Kevin Durant

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jay Canale | Last updated Jun 23, 2025 9:33 PM ET

The Cleveland Cavaliers reportedly offered Darius Garland in a trade for Kevin Durant, according to Yahoo Sports' Kevin O’Connor, who revealed the news Monday on The Kevin O’Connor Show.

Garland is one of the longest-tenured and beloved players in Cleveland, and the fact that the Cavs were trying to trade him, even for a player like Durant, demonstrates how far Cleveland is willing to go to win a championship.

While Durant has since been traded to the Houston Rockets, that isn’t the only major deal on the horizon this offseason. Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo remains a potential blockbuster target, though he hasn’t requested a trade, and per ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, Milwaukee isn’t taking calls for the 30-year-old superstar.

However, don’t be surprised to see Cleveland hot on his trail if he becomes available. But before looking ahead, this news prompts a bigger question: Why was Garland on the table in the first place, and what does it say about the Cavaliers’ urgency to win now?

Garland has been a standout in Cleveland for the past six years, making the all-star team in the 2021-2022 season and again this season as a reserve. However, Garland’s health during this year's playoffs and an unlucky fractured jaw in 2023, which hampered his performance for most of the season, is likely why Cleveland is open to trading him.

The big toe injury that sidelined him for four of the Cavs’ 10 playoff games also clearly impacted his performance when he was on the court. He ultimately had surgery earlier this month, and according to Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor, is expected to be out for four to five months, but his recovery could extend into next season.

This uncertainty surrounding Garland’s health may be pushing Cleveland to accelerate its timeline. With Mitchell’s player option looming after next season, the Cavaliers have limited time to prove they can contend with their current core.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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