The Cavaliers have reportedly shut down trade inquiries on Darius Garland to this point, but that doesn’t mean rival teams aren’t monitoring his situation in case that stance changes. League sources tell Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com that the Kings are among the teams that have been keeping tabs on the two-time All-Star.
It has been reported for months that Sacramento has been looking for a long-term solution at point guard, and Afseth has heard the same. The Timberwolves are another team known to be in the market for a lead ball-handler, Afseth states.
However, it would be difficult for either club to put together a package that would entice Cleveland to part with Garland, per Afseth. It would be particularly tricky for Minnesota and Cleveland to make a deal since both teams are restricted in terms of the moves they can make due to the tax aprons.
According to Afseth, some rival teams have gotten the impression that Garland may prefer to take on a larger role rather than being a secondary or even tertiary offensive option playing alongside Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley. Afseth hears opposing teams view Garland as the least risky of the high-profile point guards (Ja Morant, LaMelo Ball, Trae Young) who have popped up in trade rumors in 2025/26.
“Darius is the safest option on the trade market for a team seeking a point guard upgrade,” a source told Afseth. “There are teams who think he can handle more being put on his plate.”
The 25-year-old missed the first seven games of the season following offseason toe surgery and aggravated the turf toe injury shortly after he returned to action, causing him to miss another five contests. He didn’t play anything close to his normal level over his first 12 appearances and seemed to be visibly bothered by the toe issue eight days ago.
Although the Cavs dropped their third straight game on Saturday, Garland had his best performance of the season, erupting for 35 points (on 14-of-27 shooting) and eight assists with Mitchell out due to an illness, writes Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com (subscriber link). Garland has been frustrated by the nagging injury, but he thinks he may have turned a corner.
“I’m getting healthy,” Garland said. “Trying to find my groove. … It’s trying to switch my mind to letting me actually do the things I’m used to doing. It felt good for the first time a couple games ago and tonight see the result.”
Garland had another big game on Monday and was more efficient with Mitchell back in action. In the win over Charlotte, Garland finished with 27 points (on 9-of-15 shooting), 10 assists, five rebounds and two steals in 30 minutes.
On the Wine and Gold Talk podcast following Saturday’s loss (YouTube link), Fedor expressed skepticism about the Cavaliers potentially trading Garland ahead of the February 5 deadline for multiple reasons. Not only does Cleveland appear to value Garland more than other teams, Fedor explained, but the Cavs would likely receive underwhelming offers for him because of his injury and down season to this point.
Sign Fultz and Jahil Okafor
That’s code, for I’ll sit on my hands to make it look good then do nothing !!
Who is the Kings going to offer? Sabonis?
Maybe Monk and Schroeder plus a future first? Seems like a Kings thing to do.
Cavs are lucky there are teams as stupid as the Kings in league to take that giant contract of their hands, wouldn’t be surprised to see them do something this stupid.
Did someone finally tell the kings they can trade with another team besides the bulls?
I’m skeptical on him having much value ( or suitors ) in the market
He can’t seem to get thru a rotation shift w out wincing from the toe
There’s always the Kings tho but I expect Cle would want more expiring money than the Kings have to offer up .
Well if they are going all-guards, then Steve Kerr now has another team he can coach that’s not the Warriors! Bye Steve!
Does Trae for Garland make sense for either team? No idea what else it would take but similar builds who may need a change of scenery with a Darius probably getting a larger role in Atlanta
No, because Trae makes more. As a 2nd apron team, the Cavs can’t add salary or aggregate players.
Yes I thought it was a good idea myself…..
Cavs need a change some motivation. A kick in the mule …….
Garland, Allen, Ball, two 2nd rd picks >>>>
To Kings ——-
Sabonis, DeM DeR, Westbrook >>>>
To Cavs ——
Spam copy paste across Multiple topics.
The Cavs absolutely do not want to bring in 3 guys who can’t space the floor. They may as well take on the rest of the Kings’ problems too
Do you watch this game. Those are three HOF players who have never won a chip. Well I guess you can’t understand what that means. You will understand this. DeM is one best closers of his generation. He is shooting 40% 3pt, 53% 2pt, 90% FT. You understand that, no. Those splits make him tops on Cavs.
Sabonis is putting up 18 n 12. One of best rebounders in the game. You know what he would do with Mobley next to him.
Westbrook is shooting 35% from three. He is a scorer/ ballhandler. An upgrade over Ball at PG.
Yes two guys are older. Easily have 2-yrs in them.
This is a better scoring team. And a hungrier team. That’s what Cavs need.
…Why would the Kings trade these three HOF players if they were any good?
In what world are Derozan and Sabonis HOF players? There are way better players than them that are not in the HOF.They put good numbers in the regular season but become average in the playoffs, especially Derozan.
DeRozan is a 6x All-Star (and 3x All-NBA) which means he’s probably getting in.
Joe Johnson is a 7x All-Star (1x All-NBA) and was just nominated. He’s scored 5,000 FEWER points in his career than DeRozan.
Regular season players make the Hall too.
KBA of course is using the term HOF like it actually means something here. What he really means to say is washed (which he of course can relate to).
That’d be horrible for Garland. No one deserves to have to play in Sacramento.
They had two long term solutions in Fox and Haliburton and proceeded to screw things up when they moved Fox. Not sure they have anything of value for the Cavs.
And Davion Mitchell too
If the Kings calls asking about Garland the Cavs need to return back with only for Sabonis. No other player on that roster should be of any interest really.
Even then a big man duo of Mobley and Sabonis plus Donovan Mitchell at the guard spot that doesn’t look nearly as scary as other teams big 2’s or 3’s. Sure player or player is up there but it also sounds kinda clunky.
In terms of fit I’d like to see them maybe go after a more defensive guard next to Mitchell that would still be a good third option such as Dejounte Murray or Jrue Holiday.
Alternatively getting a big 3 and D forward like Micheal Porter Jr could be an upgrade and better fit. He can rise and shoot over anybody no matter the contest and his ability to spread the floor would be great.
Lastly just for old times sakes LeBron James.
Think for him having an offensive machine in the backcourt and a defensive beast in the front court is always the perfect pairing for him. Donovan creates and scores at will allowing him to slot in as more of a second. While defensively you always try to send people to Mobley at the rim.
Catch w/ LeBron is he has a No-Trade Clause. He’ll be there in the offseason when the Lakers move on.
Lakers are also not taking back Garland when they have Luka & Reaves.