Latest On Darius Garland, Cavs Trade Chatter

Appearing on 850 ESPN Cleveland, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said the team is “open-minded” to trading the 25-year-old point guard if the right deal comes along. That would be a notable shift from last offseason, when the Cavs gave firm public denials about Garland’s availability.

“The interesting thing about the Cavs is a year ago, there was some belief that Darius Garland may want to get traded,” Windhorst said. “That was definitely out there, that if (Donovan Mitchell) extended his contract then maybe Darius would want to get traded. And the message that was very hard out there, (president of basketball operations Koby Altman) was on the record I’m pretty sure even saying, ‘we’re not trading Darius Garland.’

“A year later, I think there’s some belief that Darius Garland might be available under the right circumstances,” Windhorst continued. “And I don’t think Darius Garland wants to go anywhere. I think Darius Garland is very happy with how things have developed in Cleveland and he really likes it, he likes the role that he’s got.

“But I think the Cavs are listening and open-minded without actively trying to think that they need to change their roster.”

The change in tone appears to be tied less to Garland’s performance and more to financial and roster-building constraints. On a separate ESPN Cleveland podcast, Windhorst emphasized that the looming second apron — the NBA’s stricter luxury tax threshold — is playing a significant role in the Cavs’ willingness to entertain offers.

“What I’m trying to say here is that executing a significant trade is going to be hard for them,” Windhorst said. “They’re definitely open to it. I definitely think they’re willing to discuss options. I think last year, ironically, when they were coming off a quote-unquote more questionable season, they were much less interested in adjusting and listening to options than they are now.

“Talking to teams out there, I think the Cavs are much more open-minded, regardless of what Koby said. However, it’s not that they’re open-minded necessarily because they think this team needs to be renovated. They’re open-minded because they realize once the second apron comes a lot of doors get closed.

“… I think they’re active without being aggressive,”

Garland had a strong individual season, earning his second All-Star nod while averaging 20.6 points and 6.7 assists per game on efficient shooting splits (.472/.401/.878). He also appeared in a career-high 75 regular-season games. But a toe injury suffered during Cleveland’s first-round sweep of Miami limited his effectiveness in the second round against Indiana, where the Cavs were eliminated.

Windhorst’s reporting aligns with recent suggestions from Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor, who indicated the Cavaliers are more open than in past offseasons to discussing deals involving Garland and center Jarrett Allen — though Windhorst never mentioned Allen by name.

For the record, several opposing team execs who spoke to Hoops Wire said they have not heard from the Cavs, nor have they yet placed calls to the Cavs.