NBA Executive Thinks Cleveland Cavaliers Should Trade Darius Garland

An NBA executive thinks the Cleveland Cavaliers should trade Darius Garland, according to Roundtable.

“I think they need to trade Darius,” the executive told Roundtable. “That backcourt is too small with him and Donovan (Mitchell). I love the Lonzo (Ball) trade. If I were Kenny (Atkinson), I would start Lonzo, Donovan, De’Andre (Hunter), Evan (Mobley) and Jarrett (Allen) and trade Darius.

“Sacramento was interested in him before getting Dennis (Schröder) from Detroit. Maybe call them up and see if they want Darius for like Malik (Monk) and salary filler.”

The Cavaliers haven’t advanced past the second round of the playoffs with Garland and Donovan Mitchell leading the backcourt. Lonzo Ball, who is taller and a better passer and defender than Garland, will start at point guard for Cleveland to begin this season.

Garland underwent surgery in the offseason to repair the left big toe injury that troubled him during the 2025 playoffs, so he will miss the start of the 2025-26 season. 

A two-time All-Star, Garland appeared in 75 games for Cleveland last season. He averaged 20.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.1 blocks while shooting 47.2% from the field, 40.1% from beyond the arc and 87.8% from the free-throw line. 

The Cavaliers drafted Garland with the fifth overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. The 25-year-old has career averages of 18.9 points, 2.7 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.1 blocks in the NBA. 

Cleveland was the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference last season. The Wine and Gold swept the Miami Heat in the first round of the playoffs but lost to the Indiana Pacers in the second round in five games. 

Garland played in five games in the 2025 playoffs. He averaged 18.0 points, 2.2 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 0.4 steals while shooting 42.0% from the floor, 28.6% from 3 and 91.7% from the foul line. 

A Vanderbilt product, Darius Garland will make $39.4 million this season. He doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract.