The Cleveland Cavaliers have been eliminated from the second round of the Playoffs, limping to the end of their series with the Boston Celtics after various injuries sidelined key players. Despite the injury-ridden season, the Cavaliers are expected to pick between Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland to build their future around according to Shams Charania.
“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. Should Mitchell decide to stay long term, sources briefed on the matter say Garland’s representation, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, would have a conversation with Cavs officials on potentially finding a new home for the one-time All-Star.”
This would be a major move for a backcourt the Cavaliers had high hopes from when they were made teammates in 2022. Garland had emerged as an All-Star before Mitchell got to the team but hasn't been as effective while being a secondary option behind Mitchell.
Garland averaged 18.0 points and 6.5 assists this season while Mitchell averaged 26.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 6.1 assists. Spida has clearly emerged as the superior player, so the Cavaliers might be incentivized into fighting a better-fitting backcourt partner for Mitchell and Garland might be the piece to get them that.
If Mitchell doesn't see a future in Cleveland, maybe trading him before his contract is up could bring a more complementary option for Garland.
Donovan Mitchell And Darius Garland Were Expected To Be The Best Backcourt In The NBA
When the pairing was put together, many put Garland and Mitchell in talks as the best backcourt in the NBA . Their biggest competition at the time was Ja Morant and Desmond Bane in Memphis.
“Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell. All day, every day... No offense to Ja. No offense to Desmond Bane. And no offense to Dejounte and Trae.”
After Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving became teammates, it was evident that those conversations had ended. Garland and Mitchell's partnership has slowly eroded amongst the best in the NBA as the pair haven't found a style that accentuates their strengths. Mitchell has taken the load of the offense and shouldering it well, leaving Garland out in the cold at times.
The Cavaliers went 17-3 for a stretch of the season where Mitchell led the team with Garland injured, proving that the team would benefit from a better-fitting backcourt rather than just maximizing talent.
With Mitchell's reported unhappiness in Cleveland, this offseason will be pivotal for the franchise. They can't afford to let Mitchell walk next season, so they likely have to figure out a trade if the guard is sure he will leave the Cavaliers. That would revitalize Garland as the primary guard while the Cavs could flip Mitchell for forward depth.
If Mitchell stays, Garland will be almost guaranteed to switch teams. He could run the offense for many young teams around the NBA, and the Cavaliers could recover some of their lost draft assets while getting a lower-maintenance backcourt partner or wing to play a defined role in the Mitchell-led offense.
Related: 5 Best Targets For The Cavaliers To Convince Donovan Mitchell To Stay
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