While Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers is the Los Angeles Lakers’ top target in the upcoming trade market, teammate Darius Garland might end up being a better fit in the end.
This offseason, Cleveland will likely have to decide between Mitchell and Garland. Despite having All-Star resumes, the two players performed better when they weren’t playing together since their complementary skill sets led to inadequacies and backcourt redundancies.
Mitchell has the option to opt out of his contract one year early in the summer of 2025, making him eligible for an extension. It’s likely that the Cavs will try to trade him if they can’t get him to sign a new contract before the start of the following campaign.
In the event that Mitchell does agree to a contract, Cleveland will probably attempt to move Garland, which is also what his representatives would like to happen.
As for Garland’s representation, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul will have a talk with Cavs executives on maybe finding a new home for the one-time All-Star, according to sources briefed on the situation, should Mitchell decide to stay long term, Jason Lloyd of The Athletic said on May 15.
On Sunday, May 26, Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox recommended that the Lakers explore a potential trade with Garland should he become available.
In reference to the Lakers’ other option of pursuing Chris Paul should he and the Golden State Warriors part ways in June, Knox wrote, “A trade might be L.A.’s easiest path to landing a starting-caliber point guard who isn’t just a one-year stopgap.” “It might be a trade the Lakers can pull off if Garland actively wants out of Cleveland, as it could help lower the asking price.”
With the Lakers, Darius Garland might regain his All-Star form.
Given how Dan Gilbert feels about giving L.A. a chance at Mitchell, it is questionable if Gilbert would permit his front management to deal Garland to the Lakers.
On May 20, Ashish Mathur reported for Hoops Wire that Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert “would never” trade Mitchell to the Lakers, according to a source.
The origin of this enmity dates back to 2018, when LeBron James left the Cavaliers for the second time in his NBA career. He later won a championship in Los Angeles.
To have any chance of acquiring Garland, the Lakers would need to come up with the best offer, which will require draft picks and at least one good player. However, they should set aside their pettiness for the time being.
On May 23, ESPN’s Bobby Marks reported that Los Angeles could assemble a compelling deal for Mitchell that included three first-round picks, Austin Reaves, and Rui Hachimura. The Lakers would undoubtedly want to lower the price by acquiring a player or a pick, but the same assets might be involved in a deal for Garland.
After the 2021–22 season, which was Garland’s third in the league and his first year prior to Mitchell joining Cleveland, he was named an All-Star. According to Basketball Reference, Garland has averaged 18.4 points, 6.7 assists, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.2 steals throughout his career.
The 24-year-old, who was a first-round selection in 2019 (at pick No. 5 overall), is currently playing for Cleveland through 2027–2028 on a five-year contract worth $197.2 million.
Lakers Need to Relocate D’Angelo Russell’s Contract in Order to Trade for Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland
Of course, the Lakers must remove D’Angelo Russell’s salary from the books before any of this can take place. There are two ways they can approach that.
Russell could first choose to forego his $18.7 million player option for the 2024–2025 season. The Lakers could then trade him if he decides to opt in. Marks described the team’s predicament, which is made more difficult by the league’s new salary cap apron structure.
“The Lakers would be allowed to aggregate contracts sent out if Russell does not return or they find a third team to take back his contract if he opts-in,” Marks wrote. Then, Reaves, Hachimura, and three first-round selections (2024, 2029, and 2031) might be traded by the Lakers.
L.A. can look to sign a third star and possibly make a run at the championship in 2024–25 if they can clear Russell’s debt.
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