Top 5 Trade Destinations for Darius Garland this Summer
Ben DiGiacomo
Host · Writer
New Orleans Pelicans
The current makeup of the New Orleans Pelicans is not working, and they are openly looking to reshape their culture by dangling Brandon Ingram in trade discussions. A Darius Garland for Ingram swap would improve both teams, giving New Orleans a true point guard and aiding Zion Williamson’s development better. In contrast, Ingram’s presence in Cleveland would provide the Cavs with a No. 2 scorer while allowing Donovan Mitchell to take on more of a point guard role if he signs an extension in Cleveland this summer. In a basketball sense, it’s harder to find more of a win-win potential trade right now around the league.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers need a point guard who can command the floor, and rumors are already swirling about Darius Garland asking out of Cleveland this summer. Klutch Sports represents Garland alongside basically the entire Lakers’ roster, so you already know his representation would be lobbying for him to don the purple and gold. The Lakers could be drawn by not needing to cough up a ton of assets to acquire Garland’s services, giving them a low-risk and high-reward option in the short term that will likely cost them a big contract when LeBron James leaves town.
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic are on the brink of becoming genuine contenders in the Eastern Conference, but their most significant and pressing hole is at point guard. None of their options took the leap this past season, and as Paolo Banchero sped up the Magic’s rebuilding timeline, Darius Garland's immediate fit with them is glaring. He would improve the offense, which struggled to generate efficiency against Garland's Cavaliers in the postseason, and give the Magic a long-term answer at the position. The Magic have enough high-ceiling young players and draft capital to swing a deal if they want quickly.
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves may be favorites to come out of the Western Conference, but regardless of their ultimate destiny, they should not be complacent this offseason. The Western Conference is improving, so the Wolves would be foolish to think they have things locked up for the foreseeable future. Mike Conley’s role in the starting lineup is the one spot that definitely could be upgraded this offseason, and essentially, Darius Garland is just a younger Conley with a higher ceiling who could develop with this club long-term without disrupting the team's offensive identity.
Brooklyn Nets
The Brooklyn Nets are in a challenging position as they don’t have the assets to add a superstar, while they are viewed as a team “stuck in the middle.” Ideally, it’s only a matter of time in a market like New York City before a superstar wants to come aboard, so a deal for Darius Garland would help lay the groundwork to attract a superstar eventually. Hypothetically, a roster of Garland, Mikal Bridges, and Nic Claxton should be enough to earn a Play-In spot at the minimum while allowing the Nets to monitor the league's state next offseason. What if things go south in the desert and Devin Booker wants out, or if the Celtics don't win it all and opt to explore Jaylen Brown trades? You never know in the NBA, making Garland’s fit in Brooklyn a wise trade for the Nets to explore to prepare for the unpreparable.
New Orleans Pelicans
The current makeup of the New Orleans Pelicans is not working, and they are openly looking to reshape their culture by dangling Brandon Ingram in trade discussions. A Darius Garland for Ingram swap would improve both teams, giving New Orleans a true point guard and aiding Zion Williamson’s development better. In contrast, Ingram’s presence in Cleveland would provide the Cavs with a No. 2 scorer while allowing Donovan Mitchell to take on more of a point guard role if he signs an extension in Cleveland this summer. In a basketball sense, it’s harder to find more of a win-win potential trade right now around the league.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers need a point guard who can command the floor, and rumors are already swirling about Darius Garland asking out of Cleveland this summer. Klutch Sports represents Garland alongside basically the entire Lakers’ roster, so you already know his representation would be lobbying for him to don the purple and gold. The Lakers could be drawn by not needing to cough up a ton of assets to acquire Garland’s services, giving them a low-risk and high-reward option in the short term that will likely cost them a big contract when LeBron James leaves town.
