NBA Trade Rumors: Breaking down eight emerging teams that should be willing to make all-in offers for Darius Garland if he hits the trade block this offseason.
With the way things are currently trending, the Cleveland Cavaliers could very much emerge as one of the primary driving forces of the NBA offseason. Even if Donovan Mitchell ends up signing a long-term extension with the team, the Cavs could still find themselves at the center of another all-out bidding war. That's because if Mitchell does sign a long-term extension, there are reports that the Cavs could explore trading Darius Garland.
If that's a scenario that suddenly arises this offseason, there will undoubtedly be many teams interested. As we inch closer and closer to the start of the offseason, we take a closer look at eight emerging teams that should be willing to make an all-in offer for Garland.
Utah Jazz
It's already been reported that the Utah Jazz intend to pursue a big splash heading into the NBA offseason. If they're looking for a legit complementary piece to pair alongside Lauri Markkanen, Darius Garland could emerge as an ideal potential target this offseason. If he indeed ends up hitting the open market, the Jazz could be an interesting potential landing spot for Garland due to the way their roster is currently constructed. He fits right in the timeline alongside Markkanen, and the Jazz certainly have enough trade ammo to strike a deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Add in the fact that these two teams have already worked together in the not-so-distant past, and it wouldn't be that surprising if a Garland to Utah trade materialized this offseason. On paper, the Jazz could make a ton of sense as a potnetial landing spot for Garland this summer.
Orlando Magic
After being one of the biggest surprises in the Eastern Conference this past season, the Orlando Magic are likely going to enter the NBA offseason with a priority of upgrading their backcourt. While the Magic have been linked to Klay Thompson over the last few weeks, that pairing doesn't exactly make the most sense considering Klay is likely on the back end of his career. One potential trade target that makes a lot more sense for a team like the Magic is Darius Garland.
As a young dynamic guard, Garland could be somewhat of a missing piece for the Magic. Garland would offer dynamic offensive playmaking and is young enough that he could continue to grow alongside Paulo Banchero and Franz Wagner.
Orlando is also another team that has the draft capital to meet what the Cavs could be looking for in a potential trade of Graland. If the Magic is indeed looking to make a big splash this off-season via trade, Garland could be a player that is atop their wish list.
Brooklyn Nets
Heading into the NBA offseason, the Brooklyn Nets are another middling team that will be looking to make a huge improvement to their roster via trade. The Nets are going to be in pursuit of finding a star player to complement Mikal Bridges and Cameron Johnson. While all their attention is clearly on Donovan Mitchell, if he does end up re-signing with the Cleveland Cavaliers this summer, Darius Garland could emerge as the next best potential target for a team like the Nets.
Brooklyn has the draft capital that it would take to make a move for a player as talented as Garland, and he would be a clear basketball fit next to their established core. The big question that Brooklyn would have to ask themselves is whether Garland moves the needle enough for the team.
Then again, at this point, the Nets just have to be looking for star power if they hope to keep Bridges happy moving forward. Even though Garland may not be Mitchell, he would bring a certain excitement back to the organization.
New Orleans Pelicans
After somewhat of a disappointing end to their season, as they faded during the last few weeks of the regular season, the New Orleans Pelicans are likely a team that will enter the offseason with the flexibility to retool their roster around Zion Williamson. As word begins to spread that the Pelicans are unlikely to give Brandon Ingram the long-term call extension that he's going to be seeking, they could look to flip him for a player that fits the build next to Zion better.
I'm not sure if the Pelicans would be open to it but a swap of Ingram for Darius Garland could make sense for both sides. If New Orleans does want to greatly improve their backcourt while also giving CJ McCollum some help, Garland would emerge as an ideal target.
In a vacuum, you would expect that the duo of Garland and Zion would be able to feast on Western Conference defenses for years to come. If the Pelicans didn't want to take a huge step back while also trading Ingram, trading for Garland could end up being the move. And they shouldn't hesitate to put their best assets on the trade table.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Even after the strides that the Minnesota Timberwolves have made this season, there's a chance they fall short of winning the NBA Finals and elect to make a big move this summer. If it falls that way, it wouldn't be that surprising for a team like the Wolves to emerge as a potential landing spot for Darius Garland. The Wolves don't have to draft capital to compete with some of the other potential suitors, but they have some rotation pieces that could be worth exploring if you're the Cleveland Cavaliers.
On paper, the duo of Garland and Anthony Edwards seems like an unfair pairing. The Wolves would likely have to move on from Karl-Anthony Towns or Rudy Gobert to make this move work, but perhaps that's something they're willing to do if it nets them another dynamic offensive player in the backcourt.
That's truly the next step for the Wolves - finding pieces that will take some of the offensive pressure off of Edwards on an everyday basis. Minnesota is well on its way and has arrived in the Western Conference. Garland would be a pretty bold next move for the team.
Miami Heat
After taking a bit of a step back this past season, the Miami Heat will enter the summer with the goal of finding a star-level piece that could fit alongside both Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. While Donovan Mitchell is a player who would make the *most* sense for the Heat, there's a growing chance that he won't be available even if Miami could make a compelling enough of an offer. As he continues to grow as a player, there's a case to be made that Garland could be the next-best trade target for the Heat.
Garland would fit exactly what the Heat needs in the backcourt in the way of an offensive playmaker and scorer. He'd take significant pressure off of Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo and could emerge as a final piece of their championship puzzle. If there are any concerns about acquiring Garland, they revolve around his size and his lack of defensive capabilities. But when a player as talented as Garland becomes available, the Heat shouldn't hesitate.
There are a few players Miami should be willing to go all-in for this offseason. Garland probably falls in that bucket.
San Antonio Spurs
With the way he played this season en route to winning the NBA's Rookie of the Year award, it's clear that Victor Wembanyama is ready for the main stage. The San Antonio Spurs can put Wemby in a position to succeed if they find the right complementary star to place next to him. While there's loud noise surrounding the Spurs possibly targeting Trae Young, there's reason to believe that Darius Garland would make even more sense because of his age and developing game.
Garland is a little younger than Young and has a better perception across the league. Garland is a player that could grow alongside Wemby and while he may not be the natural playmaker that Young is, he has emerged as an underrated player in that aspect of his game.
With Donovan Mitchell in Cleveland, there's a case to be made that Garland hasn't truly hit his ceiling yet. Playing alongside Wemby and under the tutelage of Gregg Popovich, there's an argument to be made that Garland could reach another development as a lead guard in the NBA. Making a move for Garland could be the first move in building around Wemby.
Los Angeles Lakers
Equipped with plenty of trade assets heading into the NBA offseason, the Los Angeles Lakers are going to be hunting for what they hope to be the final piece of their championship puzzle. Finding the right piece that could fit perfectly next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis could prove to be difficult but Darius Garland could quickly rise toward the top of LA's wishlist, especially if a player like Donovan Mitchell doesn't become available.
In an ideal scenario, the Lakers would be able to trade a player that is in the midst of his prime. Even though Garland is a talented player who continues to blossom, there could be concern that he may not be ready to play to embrace the role as the final piece of the puzzle for the Lakers. But that's a gamble Los Angeles may have to be willing to make as LeBron enters the final few years of his career.
Without many other better options on the open market, the Lakers should be prepared to make an all-in offer for Garland if he does end up being traded. At this point, there's reason to believe that Garland should be No. 2 on the Lakers' wishlist after Donovan Mitchell.