All season long, we heard rumors of the Cleveland Cavaliers preparing to tear apart their star-studded core. But now, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Cavs have had a change of heart after making a run to the East Semis.
“The Cavs don’t appear very motivated to listen to trade inquiries for any member of their core four,” wrote Fischer. “Even with the possibility that Garland’s representation at Klutch Sports could move to request a trade if Mitchell extends long term.”
The Cavaliers were at their best this season with one guard and one center on the court, and it has led many to believe they will look to offload one of either Evan Mobley or Jarrett Allen this summer. Mobley, who is arguably the team’s second-best player at 22 years old, is considered untouchable by the Cavaliers, and Allen (an All-Star in 2022) has developed nice enough chemistry with Donovan Mitchell for them to think twice about letting him go.
“The Cavaliers have not been truly keen on entertaining rival teams’ offers for Allen,” Fischer reported. “As the shot-blocker and rim-runner developed a strong on-court connection with Donovan Mitchell during a stretch of winning 17 of 18 games this winter.”
After the Cavaliers’ bitter defeat in the second round this year, GMs around the league began to prepare for potential sweepstakes involving the Cavaliers, and LeBron James himself was rumored to be on a scouting mission during trade talks earlier in the season.
For whatever reason, the feeling internally is starting to change now. Whether due to a lack of favorable options or fear over the risk involved in trading one of your best players, the Cavaliers are moving toward running it back and it could have major implications on how the summer shakes out.
With Mobley and Allen looking increasingly unlikely to be traded, it leaves the backcourt as the only potential target of change. Despite doubts about his commitment, Mitchell has denied that he’s unhappy with the Cavaliers but the situation with Darius Garland is entirely different.
Klutch Sports And Darius Garland Threaten Trade Request If Donovan Mitchell Returns
Arguably the biggest argument for the Cavaliers to make a big trade this summer is the ongoing situation with Darius Garland. Rumors around the league indicate that the 24-year-old point guard has lost faith in his partnership with Donovan Mitchell and he may force his way out if Mitchell isn’t traded this summer.
“Klutch Sports will have a conversation with the Cavs if Mitchell stays. It’s not because Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell are at each other’s throats, it’s because they don’t fit,” said Brian Windhorst on the Garland/Mitchell situation.
Garland, who averaged 18.0 points, 6.5 assists, and 2.7 rebounds per game on 44.6% shooting this season, is signed through the 2027-28 season but he could make things awkward for the franchise if he decides to act on his threat to try and split from the team.
It will take nothing short of a miracle for the Cavaliers to keep their backcourt intact, much less their core four stars. Still, with no better alternatives, I cannot deny that the best chance to stay relevant for the foreseeable future is by keeping their group together for as long as possible.
Flawed as they are, their collective talent is hard to beat in the NBA and Cavaliers might just need a few more runs together before everything starts to click. If the stars can just be convinced to give it one more try, the Cavaliers can leave it all on the table next season, Mitchell’s last before hitting the market as an unrestricted free agent.
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