The Cleveland Cavaliers are struggling to live up to their regular-season standards this season.
Could a major change come, involving a trade that includes Donovan Mitchell’s co-star, Darius Garland?
According to Jake Fischer of ‘The Stein Line,’ any discussion about a potential Garland deal doesn’t truly have any legs. It might be a popular talking point for mock trades as the Cavaliers slip down the Eastern Conference standings, but Garland currently isn’t on the move.
“I just haven't heard any credible rumblings about Garland's availability,” Fischer wrote on Saturday.
“Maybe that changes as the Feb. 5 deadline draws closer. Vultures from other teams are certainly circling — well aware that the Cavaliers are carrying the league's highest payroll and falling well short of expectations at 17-15 — but those vultures are still waiting for a green light to make firm trade offers for Garland or Jarrett Allen.”
Before December, Garland didn’t have any consistency in the availability department. He missed a chunk of games in November, which left the Cavs scrambling for answers without one of their key players.
Since Garland returned to the court on December 6, he hasn’t missed any action. The Cavs are still hot and cold, posting a 3-5 record over that time.
This year, the production is down for Garland. In 16 games, he has produced 17.3 points, 7.1 assists, and 2.8 rebounds, while shooting 40 percent from the field and 36 percent from beyond the arc. After notching his second All-Star appearance last year, Garland is unlikely to end up back on the star stage for the second season in a row.
At 17-15 on the year, the Cavs are sitting seventh in the East. They have won just four of their last 10 games. Heading into the February deadline, the Cavaliers are likely to play the role of buyers, but don’t seem to be interested in a major shakeup that would include Garland in the package.
For the time being, Cleveland is set on keeping the Mitchell-Garland backcourt together until further notice.