Darius Garland And Jarrett Allen Are No Longer Considered Untouchable By Cavaliers

The Cleveland Cavaliers are entering a pivotal offseason with serious questions surrounding two of their key players. According to Cavs insider Chris Fedor, Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen are no longer considered untouchable, a clear signal that Cleveland may be ready to shake things up after a disappointing postseason exit.

This is a stark departure from the franchise’s previous stance. Garland and Allen were once viewed as integral building blocks. But after another early playoff flameout, the Cavaliers are acknowledging what’s become obvious: the current core has hit its ceiling.

Cleveland’s regular season told a different story. They finished first in the Eastern Conference with a stellar 64–18 record, the second-best mark in franchise history behind only the 2016 championship team. 

However, injuries and underwhelming performances doomed their playoff run. Garland missed the first two games of their second-round series against the Indiana Pacers and looked out of rhythm upon returning. He averaged just 14 points on abysmal shooting splits and struggled to generate any offensive momentum.

Jarrett Allen, meanwhile, was healthy but ineffective. Across Games 4 and 5, he totaled just 11 points and six rebounds, staggering numbers for a player expected to anchor the paint. 

The Pacers outplayed the Cavaliers in every facet, handing Cleveland a humiliating 44-point deficit at one point in Game 4 and ultimately eliminating them in just five games.

The playoff letdown has prompted Cleveland’s front office to reconsider its trajectory. The Cavaliers are severely limited in flexibility due to salary cap constraints. 

They are currently operating above the second apron, which restricts their ability to sign free agents, aggregate salaries in trades, and even use their full mid-level exception. In short, the only way to truly retool the roster is to part with significant pieces, and that likely means moving either Garland, Allen, or both.

Garland’s playoff inconsistency is a growing concern. While the 24-year-old has shown flashes of brilliance in the regular season, his postseason track record leaves much to be desired. 

His career playoff numbers pale in comparison to his regular season stats, particularly in scoring efficiency and decision-making under pressure. Despite his playmaking upside and youth, the Cavs may view him as a movable asset in pursuit of a better-fitting backcourt partner for Donovan Mitchell.

Allen’s durability and limitations have also drawn scrutiny. He missed most of the 2024 postseason due to a rib injury and was largely a non-factor this year against Indiana. 

While Allen remains one of the league’s better rim protectors, his limited offensive game and struggles against physical playoff opponents have cast doubt on his long-term fit next to Mobley.

The Cavaliers don’t want to waste Mitchell’s prime or Mobley’s growth curve. With both stars viewed as foundational, it’s clear the organization is ready to explore bold changes. 

The Garland-Allen duo may have helped lift Cleveland out of its post-LeBron era, but if the Cavaliers want to be more than regular-season darlings, they might need to make some painful but necessary moves.