The Cleveland Cavaliers are reportedly considering some changes after another failed playoff run. At point guard, Darius Garland’s future has fallen into doubt as rumors circulate about potential trades for the young star. According to one NBA insider, there may already be a framework in place for a trade with the Orlando Magic.
“I think there’s a framework of a deal between the Cavs and the Magic that would involve Darius Garland and Jalen Suggs. I think there’s a framework, and I say framework because salary stuff becomes very, very difficult for the Cavs,” wrote Chris Fedor. “So, you’re just talking about a general framework with an understanding that other pieces are probably going to have to be involved. Maybe a third team is going to have to be involved. Matching salary becomes very, very difficult when you’re talking about the Cavs and the salary situation that they’re in.”
Pulling off a trade of that magnitude would be no easy feat for the Cavaliers, who already have limited cap flexibility. Still, it could be possible to exchange Garland for a package including Jalen Suggs, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and Anthony Black. The Cavaliers would essentially be giving up star power for depth in the backcourt.
At first glance, some fans might argue that the Cavaliers don’t need a change at point guard. This past season, they won 64 games to secure the top seed in the East and were dominant for the better part of a year. They broke several records en route to one of the greatest regular seasons in franchise history.
Going into the 2025 playoffs, Cleveland felt confident about their chances to win it all and make amends for the previous year, when they collapsed in the second round to the Boston Celtics. After a first-round victory over the Magic, the Cavs met their match in the Semi-Finals, when the Indiana Pacers sent them packing in just five games in the next very series. Now that the season is over, the Cavaliers are dedicated to finding the source of their struggles and rooting out whatever is holding them back.
With Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley secured as the future of their team, it only leaves Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen as the scapegoats, and we already know that the Cavs are open to trading both of them this summer. In the case of Allen, he’ll have several suitors looking to add a defensive-minded big man.
For Garland, the Cavaliers already have a replacement in mind who would trade his skills for a more well-rounded backcourt rotation. Suggs, who was drafted fifth overall in 2021, is still a developing young point guard, but he’s shown a lot of promise as a playmaker, ball handler, and pick-and-roll defender. Last season, in 35 games for the Magic, he averaged 16.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game on 41.9% shooting.
While Garland has the higher upside, Suggs may be a better fit for the Cavaliers, especially alongside Donovan Mitchell, whose defensive deficiencies can often be a detriment to his team. They would also get a win-now player like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to help fill out their championship rotation.
In return, the Orlando Magic can pair Paolo Banchero with an All-Star-level point guard in Garland. He’s coming off an impressive regular season with averages of 20.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game on 47.2% shooting.
