Cleveland Cavaliers: NBA Insider Breaks Down a Possible Financial Reward for Evan Mobley 3 Feb 20, 2025; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guards Darius Garland (10) and Donovan Mitchell (45) react during the second half against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images

'You Go at Him Most of the Time' – Cleveland Cavaliers’ Darius Garland Catches Unintentional Stray From 15-Time NBA All-Star

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated Jul 2, 2025 8:32 AM ET

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland was one of the topics when Kevin Durant joined the Mind the Game podcast with LeBron James and Steve Nash, as they discussed the idea of having smaller guards in today’s game.

While acknowledging his superb offensive arsenal, Durant pointed out that Garland’s size limits his value as an NBA player. Because he is one of the smallest players on the Cleveland Cavaliers, opposing teams tend to hunt him on mismatches.

“If you want a chance to beat the Cleveland Cavs, you go at (Darius) Garland, most of the time on the defensive side,” Durant said. “It’s not saying he couldn’t score or (whatever). He’s just small. 6’1″, 6’2″ sometimes.”

Cavs Coach Did Not Hold Back on Darius Garland's Awful Night vs. Celtics - 'He won’t say it but I’ll say it' 3 Nov 13, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) records an interview after the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

“Nowadays, offenses are giving the ball to their best player. I don’t care if you’re 6’9″ or 6’10”. If you’re out there on the perimeter with Paolo (Banchero), bring up Darius Garland. But Cleveland did a good job of building help around him,” he added.

Cleveland Cavaliers likely to keep their “Core 4,” claims insider

Cleveland Cavaliers fans are concerned about whether the front office will be able to keep their core together after they recently traded Isaac Okoro to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Lonzo Ball and lost Ty Jerome to the Memphis Grizzlies in free agency.

Cleveland Cavaliers Center Criticized by Former Champion 1 Nov 15, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) and center Jarrett Allen (31) celebrate during the second half against the Chicago Bulls at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

But according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, the Cleveland Cavaliers are expected to keep Donovan Mitchell , Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, and Garius Garland next season.

“Absolutely, no question about it,” Windhorst said on ESPN Cleveland. “And in fact, I think that this is a good opportunity to put the ball more in Evan Mobley’s hands. Where Evan Mobley can lift the Cavs up is to do more offensively. He can handle the ball. He can create more, he can stress out defenses better.”