CLEVELAND, Ohio — There has been growing chatter among fans about the possibility of the Cleveland Cavaliers trading point guard Darius Garland, especially as media speculation heats up. However, executing a trade will pose significant challenges due to the Cavs’ current salary cap situation.
The Cavaliers find themselves in a difficult position as they are over the second apron of the salary cap, which imposes severe restrictions on their ability to make trades. With the highest payroll in the NBA, they can only trade one player at a time, which complicates potential deals involving Garland and his substantial $39.4 million salary.
Last season, the Cavs successfully traded players like Caris LeVert and Georges Niang to Atlanta for De’Andre Hunter, thanks to a more favorable salary cap situation. However, similar transactions cannot be made now. If the Cavs choose to trade Garland, he will be the only player involved in any deal—there’s no room to add cash or other players to facilitate the trade.
Garland’s recent performance raises questions about his value on the market. Following foot surgery earlier in the season, he has struggled to find his rhythm, averaging 16.9 points per game with shooting percentages that fall well below his career norms. His last game against Chicago, where he scored 35 points, provides a glimmer of hope that he might be regaining his form, suggesting the potential for improvement.
Despite his young age of 25 and impressive prior achievements, including an All-Star selection, Garland’s recent struggles and significant contract could deter teams from pursuing him aggressively. The financial aspect is also a concern; his contract is set to escalate significantly over the next few seasons, which means any team trading for him would need to view it as a long-term investment, rather than an immediate solution.
Potential trade scenarios have included discussions about Orlando’s Jalen Suggs, who has had his own battles with injuries. While Suggs possesses qualities that could benefit the Cavs, such as toughness and defense, his health issues raise additional concerns about pursuing this trade.
The Cavaliers face a strategic decision regarding Garland. If they believe he can return to a competitive level, trading him now may not yield the best results. As they navigate this situation, the importance of obtaining true value in any potential deal cannot be overstated. With recent signs of improvement, the Cavs may want to exercise caution before making any hasty decisions regarding one of their key players.