The Cavs are getting calls on their two-time All Start point guard, but don’t appear willing to trade him.
It came as a surprise that the Cleveland Cavaliers were reportedly listed as one of the mystery teams for superstar Kevin Durant. It should not be as surprising that the Phoenix Suns asked for two-time All-Star point guard Darius Garland in return. And it should not come as a surprise that a deal between the two teams didn’t go down.
In “5 Good Minutes with Windy”, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said that Phoenix was the one to reach out to Cleveland about acquiring Garland, not the other way around.
“The Suns were the ones to reach out that had interest in Garland”, Windhorst said. “It was not the Cavs that wanted to trade Garland.”
Windhorst added that the Cavs’ level of interest in Durant was for the star forward and additional assets, of which could be Cleveland’s own 2029 first-round pick that Phoenix is in control of. Garland has more value than Durant given his age and potential to improve, so the Cavs rightfully would want more back if they were to move him.
The Cavs are pretty limited in what they can trade away without violating the league’s collective bargaining agreement, but moving Garland is one of those big swings that would be legal and open up more wiggle room for trades. But it doesn’t seem like that is happening.
“I do believe that the Cavs are not trying to shop him (Garland) and I do believe when they got some phone calls, they had some conversations,” Windhorst continued. He also added that the Cavs have had some conversations with other teams about offloading salary, something that will be necessary if they want to re-sign Ty Jerome and Sam Merrill. If there is one thing to expect from the Cavs this offseason, it would be that they move some contracts (like Isaac Okoro).
It remains increasingly unlikely that the Cavs will trade Garland, given the numerous barriers and risks involved. But they are listening, and their interest in Durant indicates they want to get over that playoff hump.