The Cleveland Cavaliers are in a rut.
ESPN's Shams Charania has reported this week that trade calls are coming in to the Cavs' phones, and they're picking up, although Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley are "untouchable."
That means Darius Garland, the star point guard, is conceptually available.
And that has people talking.
That includes NBA analyst Bill Simmons, who on his latest podcast suggested an odd swap: Darius Garland to the Washington Wizards for Khris Middleton and "some picks."
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It's a deal where the money would work, which is easier said than done given the Cavs' cap situation. But would it be something Cleveland would even consider?
Middleton is much closer to the end of his career than Garland, and he isn't a point guard, so the Cavs would lack at that position a bit if Garland left.
It'd likely have to be a solid picks haul for the Cavs to consider it. Given where the Wizards generally are in the standings, their draft picks do have real value.
But it's also not like the Wizards would trade a pick they think is going to end up in the top-five to the Cavs for an expensive Garland, either.
Cleveland's reality might instead see the Cavs stand pat. If they are really inclined to make trades, they could be deals that set them back from a talent perspective, because there won't be too many balanced matches out there.
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