Cleveland Cavaliers star guard Darius Garland’s trade value doesn’t exactly appear to be at an all-time high at this juncture.
For one, he had a postseason to forget. Garland was limited to appearing in just five of Cleveland’s nine playoff games due to injury, and when he did play (as he fought through it to play multiple times), he didn’t quite resemble the same player who was named an All-Star earlier in the year.
To make matters worse for his trade value, Garland underwent surgery on his left big toe earlier this month and is expected to need several months to recover. ESPN reported that Garland is likely to miss part of the 2025-26 regular season as he works his way back.
In light of Garland’s injury and surgery, NBA teams have reportedly been trying to acquire the floor general at a bargain price, per Terry Pluto of Cleveland.com.
“Don’t expect a huge trade: This isn’t shocking,” Pluto wrote. “I’ve been reporting this along with many others. The Darius Garland toe surgery (4-to-6 months) makes it even less likely he’ll be traded. The Cavs were already figuring to keep him, unless they had an eye-popping offer. Now, they’ve been hearing from teams trying to acquire the two-time All-Star at a bargain price because of the injury/surgery.
Cavs want to do something: They would like to add another athletic wing player. They have veterans such as Dean Wade or Isaac Okoro available for trade. They have a pair of second-round draft picks. But I was told, any move they make ‘would be around the margins.’ That means outside of the Core Four of Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, Donovan Mitchell and Garland.”
Pluto’s reporting came shortly before ESPN’s Shams Charania came out with a fascinating report regarding the Cavaliers and star forward Kevin Durant, who the Phoenix Suns agreed to trade to the Houston Rockets on Sunday. According to Charania, the Cavaliers were one of the “wild-card suitors” for Durant before he landed with the Rockets.
