Darius Garland won over Cavaliers management with an impressive shooting performance in a workout last week, relays Joe Vardon of The Athletic. The Cavs sent a sizable contingent to Los Angeles to watch Garland in his first pre-draft session. He didn’t disappoint, sinking shots from all over the court and reportedly going five or six minutes without missing.
“We saw him take 30-footers and flick them like it was nothing,” general manager Koby Altman said.
The Cavaliers had been hoping to draft De’Andre Hunter, but didn’t have the resources to trade up to No. 4. They also liked Jarrett Culver, but Garland changed their minds with his shooting display. Vardon reports that new coach John Beilein was seen cheering on the Vanderbilt guard as he hit one shot after another.
“It was like, ‘OK, how could this work out?’” Altman said. “We started to get fascinated with the idea.”
There’s more Cavaliers news to pass along:
- Cleveland is talking to teams interested in Kevin Love, but hasn’t made any progress toward a trade, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said during an appearance this week on WKNR in Cleveland (hat tip to Joseph Zucker of Bleacher Report). “It’s hard to find the right deal for him,” said Windhorst, who put the odds of a trade at 50-50. He noted it would be easy to find a taker for Love if the Cavs just wanted to unload the four years and $120MM left on his contract, but because he’s one of their few tradable assets they want to get something of value in return.
- The Cavaliers won’t extend a qualifying offer to two-way player Jaron Blossomgame, tweets Cleveland-based basketball writer Chris Manning. The 25-year-old small forward signed with the Cavs in December and played 27 games at the NBA level, averaging 4.2 PPG. He posted an 18.5/7.5/2.2 line in 35 G League contests. He will be an unrestricted free agent.
- Naz Mitrou-Long, who had a two-way contract with the Jazz this season, will join the Cavaliers for Summer League, a source tells Eric Woodyard of The Deseret News (Twitter link). The 25-year-old shooting guard got into 14 games for Utah, averaging 6 minutes per night.
Any update on JR’s contract?
no one wants that bum
He said contract.
I can’t really see a contender or potential contender who would want to take on Love’s deal. Not a lot of matching salaries for one thing. Maybe Houston, using some sort of Capela and Nene based trade? Do they have any picks to give?
San Antonio straight up for Aldridge and a pick?
Maybe Memphis wants to unload Parsons enough that they would give up a pick?
Boston maybe will cough up some picks to rid themselves of Hayward and get Love and some spare parts?
Dallas for Hardaway and a couple of picks?
Of course, the most poetic would be Love to Minnesota for Andrew Wiggins.
Love gets a bad rap but when healthy, and that’s probably his main issue, he’s good for 18/10 plus 3pt % in the 38-40% range.
He is the best Stretch-4 or Stretch-5 in the game when healthy. Plain n simple.
Cavs and Atlanta had best drafts. Cavs need to jus hold off until the 1st few waves of free agency pass. Someone with money and hopes will jump at kLove. I think Nasir little and al aminu and maybe Meyers Leonard for Love and another role player.
Parsons is not the bad deal he used to be. Memphis would not have to attach a pick to trade him, they would get one along with a bad longer deal for him.
he’s a $25 mil bad bench player with a 35% FG %. I’ts SB expiring contract so that’s good, but he absolutely would need to be accompanied with assets to be moved without taking on salary.
Marvin Williams and Bismack Biyombo for Love is a really good starting framework of a deal.
The Hornets would obviously need to add a few assets to that, but the money matching up would be a really good start. They need to get some help for Kemba, assuming he re-signs.
How does that help the cavs
It takes a lot of future money off the books. If enough draft picks/young assets are added, it might not be a bad idea.
If Love is traded my avatar is in trouble. I think it’s pretty safe though as the staus quo has it’s reasons.
I would say a Bitadze-based trade seems oddly possible to me. Love for the #1 pick and McDermott (if the Pacers don’t want him).
Indiana will probably strike out on major FA targets but want an upgrade on Thaddeus if they can’t have one on Collison, who is actually not bad, and who suffices until Holiday takes over. Love could sort out the Turner/Sabonis mesh somehow and be on a winner. But Love would have to want it.
You could probably salvage the avatar if he is traded to a team that uses the same color jersey. A Miami Heat trade could help you. And honestly, that spot could work for a Love deal.
Love for Olynyk/Johnson and Winslow + draft picks makes a lot sense for both sides.
I think % was going for Indiana bc they sometimes use that wine and gold “Hoosier” u inform. Heats colors are red, black and white.
Cavs could use Johnson as a playmaker. Ha, with two point guards in the backcourt with fewer assists! Though I think Garland has the smarts to be a true PG in time.
A trade is for sure, except only if cavs ask too much
Houston: Love, TT, t.johnson
Phoenix: cp3
Cleveland: Capela, Josh J.
that’s an interesting offer if the Cavs were looking to compete next season or two. rather, they might prefer draft assets or young players still on rookie deals. Houston has none of that. maybe Phoenix can help.
I think the Cavs want to get better and are headed in the right direction, but want to make sure to stay in the top-10 of the draft and keep their own pick.
The expiring contracts after this year gives them a lot of flexibility
In the interim, what they do with JR’s contract, TT, Clarkson, Knight, and possibly Delly or Henson will be interesting. Taking on contracts past this year for picks is the only reason they would, but that’s no reason not to try.
Love presents an all star that wants to be in Cleveland. Nothing to sniff at. He would be very good locker room guy as well. I’d hate to lose him for something that doesn’t improve the team. I feel his only issue is staying on the court.