Report: Timberwolves, Magic, Wizards among teams interested in Cavaliers’ Darius Garland
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The market for Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland appears to be heating up as multiple teams monitor his availability ahead of the NBA trade deadline.
NBA analyst Jake Weinbach indicated that the Minnesota Timberwolves, Orlando Magic and Washington Wizards are viewed inside the league as possible destinations should Cleveland entertain offers for its two-time All-Star point guard.
League executives are expected to place calls to the Cavaliers in the coming weeks while evaluating how the club performs during that stretch. At 15-12, Cleveland sits seventh in the Eastern Conference after finishing atop the conference standings last season.
Both Minnesota and Orlando have been searching for a reliable primary ball-handler, whereas Washington continues to stockpile assets during a lengthy rebuild. Garland, 25, would align with different timelines for each franchise, but his contract carries a sizable price tag: the guard is earning $39.4 million this season.
Garland underwent toe surgery during the offseason and has yet to regain his usual form. Through the early portion of the schedule he is averaging 15.5 points and 6.5 assists while shooting 36.2% from the field and 28.2% from three-point range.
Despite outside speculation about his fit next to fellow guard Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland’s front office remains supportive. Still, HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto noted that several clubs believe Garland could be a “difference-maker” if featured as a primary option, predicting “a lot of interest” before the deadline and again in the offseason if no deal materializes.
Represented by Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, Garland has spent his entire NBA career with the Cavaliers since being selected fifth overall in 2019. Whether that tenure continues may depend on the volume of incoming offers and how the team fares as the season unfolds.
Source: Hoops Wire
