Darius Garland’s future with the Cleveland Cavaliers appeared uncertain last offseason amid concerns with how he fit in with Donovan Mitchell. Garland was the original member of the Cavaliers’ “Core Four” before Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen joined the franchise.
“It crossed my mind. Like just literally crossed it for like five seconds,” Garland told ESPN when asked if he ever considered leaving his lone NBA franchise. “But I really love this group, man. It’s like a real brotherhood. We’ve been together for three years now, four years now, and I really want to win here.
“I think this group has the opportunity to do something special and bring a championship back to Cleveland. And that’s what I want to do.”
Garland met with both Koby Altman and Kenny Atkinson during the offseason. Altman emphasized how much he continued to believe in Garland, while Atkinson expressed a similar sentiment. Atkinson discussed strategy, including some of the way the Golden State Warriors used Stephen Curry that they could use with Garland.
“There’s nothing wrong with reassurance,” Rich Paul, the Klutch Sports CEO who represents Garland, told ESPN. “I thought Kenny was reading the room properly to make the effort to do so, because they have a great unit, and they have a group of guys that all like each other. On a professional team, that’s not necessarily always the case.”
Following the end of the Cavaliers’ 23-24 season, The Athletic reported that Paul could discuss a trade of Garland with the team if Mitchell were to extend. Mitchell did extend, but the Cavaliers obviously never entertained a Garland trade.
“I wasn’t really too focused on all the trade talks and a lot of people saying all the other stuff about me,” Garland said. “Last year was just a tough year for myself, so I got away. I went out to L.A. just by myself almost damn near and just really locked in on my craft.
“It really helped me just mentally and physically to just get a clear mind, not try to worry about what all the other people are saying and Twitter fingers. Just trying to work on myself and try to get back to where I was before.”