The Sacramento Kings are once again circling the trade market in search of a franchise point guard, and a familiar name has resurfaced. As the organization continues to navigate life after De’Aaron Fox, league sources indicate Sacramento remains aggressive in its pursuit of a long-term answer at the position.
According to Cavaliers Nation, the Kings have a strong interest in acquiring Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland. While Sacramento has continued to check in on Garland’s availability, Cleveland has repeatedly pushed back, making it clear they are not actively looking to move the two-time All-Star. Still, the Kings’ persistence reflects how highly they view Garland as a potential centerpiece.
Sacramento’s interest in Garland dates back to last season, shortly after the team moved on from Fox in a franchise-altering deal with San Antonio. The Kings explored Garland trades during the offseason as well, but Cleveland declined those inquiries. With the Kings still lacking a true offensive identity, Garland has remained at the top of their wish list.
From Cleveland’s perspective, the hesitation is understandable. The Cavaliers have experienced stretches of success built around their young core, and Garland has continued to evolve into one of the league’s most dynamic offensive guards. This season, he is averaging 16.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, 6.9 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.1 blocks per game on 40.8% shooting and 36.5% from three. When healthy, he has shown the ability to run an offense, create off the dribble, and space the floor, skills that remain foundational to Cleveland’s long-term plans.
The Cavaliers’ recent struggles, however, have complicated the picture. Injuries and roster imbalance have led to disappointing play, raising questions about the sustainability of the current build. Garland’s future, while far from settled, has become a point of discussion as Cleveland evaluates its ceiling. While he has remained productive on the court, the pressure to reassess the roster has grown as expectations remain unmet.
If a deal were to materialize, the Kings would likely need to assemble a significant package, potentially including Malik Monk, Dennis Schroder, Keon Ellis, Devin Carter, and multiple draft picks. For the Kings (14th in the West at 8-24), Garland would immediately slot in as the primary ball-handler, bringing structure, tempo, and shot creation to an offense that has lacked consistency at the guard spot. His shooting would open the floor for Sacramento’s frontcourt scorers, while his playmaking would ease the burden on wings who have been forced into expanded roles.
For Cleveland, moving Garland would signal a major shift, likely prioritizing defensive balance, size, or future flexibility over a dual-guard-heavy approach. It would be a drastic move, but one many would argue is necessary for a team sitting at 18-16 through the first half of the season.
Ultimately, Garland’s name remaining on the trade market reflects a crossroads for both franchises. Sacramento is still searching for stability at the point guard position, while the Cavs face tough questions about their long-term ceiling. Whether talks ever move beyond interest remains to be seen, but the situation underscores how quickly timelines can shift for teams trying to balance patience with urgency in a crowded league.
