The Cleveland Cavaliers started their playoff contention on a strong note against the young Orlando Magic and dominated them to clinch their series win. They won four games out of seven. Then the Cavaliers were bound to face the Boston Celtics in the playoff semifinals. In the end, the Cavaliers couldn’t make it to the finals as they won only one game of five.
It was quite a special moment for the Cavaliers after moving to the semifinals since they haven’t progressed this far in the playoffs since 2019. They also haven’t won a championship since 2016. Now, it’s the offseason for the Cleveland Cavaliers and they have to make choices on how their future will look. Finally, this decision involves Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell’s future.
What’s Cleveland Cavaliers Decision On Darius Garland?
It’s interesting to note that Darius Garland’s future depends on Donovan Mitchell’s decision with the Cavaliers. Thus, if you were in Cleveland’s shoes, who would you choose between these two All-Star players?
Here’s the catch. If Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers agree in terms of contract extention, Darius Garland would request a trade, which means the Cavaliers would desire another All-Star to complement Donovan Mitchell because the offensive pressure will be huge on him.
Darius Garland, a one-time all-star, played for the Cleveland Cavaliers for five years and was their number-five pick in the NBA draft. During the 2023-24 regular season, he averaged 18 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 6.5 assists playing for 33.4 minutes within 57 games, and in his 2023-24 playoffs, he averaged 15.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 5.8 assists playing for 36 minutes within 12 games.
These are pretty decent NBA stats for the 24-year-old player which catches the eyes of other NBA scouts who desire a young and fit player with potential high performance to complete their team’s puzzle. Thus, Darius could be a good asset for the Cavaliers if they kept him.
Darius Garland Might Not Leave Cleveland Cavalier
Following the notion that Darius Garland’s future depends on Donovan Mitchell’s decision to extend his contract, according to ESPN, this is what Mitchell had to say:
I’m happy in Cleveland, I’m not leaving this season unhappy, I’m leaving this season more determined.
This could mean that Donovan Mitchell might not extend his contract with the Cavaliers which leaves the spot open for Darius Garland to remain in Cleveland. However, if the Cavaliers don’t keep Darius, some possible teams that could trade for him are the LA Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves, or the Phoenix Suns.
This decisive moment has been on top of the minds of Cleveland fans and NBA spectators after losing Game 5. Just like other off-season teams are building their first championship teams, the Cavaliers could be trapped if they don’t make vital decisions that set them aside from non-championship contenders.
About the Author
Wisdom is an email and brand copywriter with two years of content writing experience. He started Cloud Kitchen Concept to help startups and business owners elevate their brands from good to great. You can connect with him on LinkedIn and Instagram to enjoy cooked meals for your business’s growth.
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