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The Cleveland Cavaliers’ season came to an end Wednesday with their 113-98 loss to the Boston Celtics in Game 5 of their second-round series, and now all eyes turn toward the future.
With that in mind, Shams Charania, Joe Vardon and Jason Lloyd of The Athletic reported that Darius Garland’s representation, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, would discuss a potential trade with the team’s front office if Donovan Mitchell decides to stay in Cleveland on a long-term contract extension.
The report also noted that “rival executives believe the Cavs will have to seriously evaluate the fit of Mitchell and Garland and ultimately may have to choose one or the other.”
Mitchell is under contract for just one more season with a player option for the 2025-26 campaign.
There have been plenty of trade rumors surrounding the five-time All-Star, and everything Cleveland does this offseason will likely revolve around what happens with the go-to option.
On paper, Garland is more of a long-term option for the Cavaliers since he is signed through the 2027-28 season. The front office figures to build around him and Evan Mobley if Mitchell is ultimately traded or decides to go elsewhere, but the equation would change if he returns.
There is something to be said about Mitchell’s presence as a ball-dominant guard impacting Garland’s overall development and ceiling. Perhaps he would be better fitted somewhere else where he can be the primary option and facilitator, especially since he is still just 24 years old.
Yet he struggled without Mitchell in Wednesday’s loss and went 4-of-17 from the field. If the Cavaliers were going to have any chance at an upset win on the road without Mitchell, Caris LeVert and Jarrett Allen, they needed a better performance than that from the point guard.
But changes need to be made if Cleveland is going to compete with the likes of the Celtics and other top teams in the Eastern Conference next season and beyond.
Trading Mitchell would be something of a reset. Keeping him and trading Garland could allow the front office to get some win-now pieces in return, which might bring Cleveland a bit closer to the top of the conference.
If nothing else, the Cavaliers will be one of the teams to watch this offseason.
