Trade Proposal Sends Darius Garland To Magic, Jalen Suggs To Cavaliers

Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade idea between the Cavaliers and Magic:

Darius Garland for Jalen Suggs and a 2025 first-round pick

According to NBA insiders Shams Charania, Joe Vardon and Jason Lloyd of The Athletic, Rich Paul would speak with the Cavaliers about trading Garland if Donovan Mitchell signs an extension this offseason. 

Paul is Garland’s agent.

“Furthermore, rival executives believe the Cavs will have to seriously evaluate the fit of Mitchell and Garland and ultimately may have to choose one or the other,” Charania, Vardon and Lloyd wrote. “Should Mitchell decide to stay long term, sources briefed on the matter say Garland’s representation, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, would have a conversation with Cavs officials on potentially finding a new home for the one-time All-Star.”

Garland averaged 18.0 points, 2.7 rebounds and 6.5 assists this season while shooting 44.6% from the field, 37.1% from beyond the arc and 83.4% from the free-throw line. He’ll make $36.7 million next season. 

“Turning Darius Garland into a bigger and more tenacious defender such as Jalen Suggs could make the Cavs a more viable playoff team,” Bailey wrote. “Cleveland was plus-8.8 points per 100 possessions when Mitchell played without Garland this season. This trade could make Mitchell the full-time lead ball-handler that he’s perhaps meant to be (despite his teams continuing to deploy him as a 2).

“This deal would still leave the Magic with plenty of the defensive talent that made them so good on that end (including Jonathan Isaac, Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner), but it would give them a far better table-setter and outside shooter than they’ve had at the 1 in years.”

Suggs averaged 12.6 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.7 assists for the Magic this season while shooting 47.1% from the floor, 39.7% from 3 and 75.6% from the foul line. He made the All-Defensive Second Team.

Garland has career averages of 18.4 points, 2.6 rebounds and 6.7 assists, while Suggs has career averages of 11.5 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists.