Lakers Trade Proposal Nets $197 Million Star From East Playoff Contender
The Los Angeles Lakers will be in the trade market this summer, and while their first choice is Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers, his teammate Darius Garland may ultimately prove the more viable option.
This offseason, Cleveland will likely have to decide between Mitchell and Garland. Despite having All-Star resumes, the two players performed better when they weren’t playing together since their complementary skill sets led to inadequacies and backcourt redundancies.
Mitchell has the option to opt out of his contract one year early in the summer of 2025, making him eligible for an extension. It’s likely that the Cavs will try to trade him if they can’t get him to sign a new contract before the start of the following campaign.
However, if Mitchell does sign a contract, Cleveland will likely try and trade Garland, which is an also an outcome his agents would seek under those circumstances.
“Should Mitchell decide to stay long term, sources briefed on the matter say Garland’s representation, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, would have a conversation with Cavs officials on potentially finding a new home for the former All-StarThe Athletic’s Jason Lloyd wrote on May 15.
On Sunday, May 26, Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox recommended that the Lakers explore a potential trade with Garland should he become available.
In reference to the Lakers’ other option of pursuing Chris Paul should he and the Golden State Warriors part ways in June, Knox wrote, “A trade might be L.A.’s easiest path to landing a starting-caliber point guard who isn’t just a one-year stopgap.” “It might be a trade the Lakers can pull off if Garland actively wants out of Cleveland, as it could help lower the asking price.”
Darius Garland Could Return to All-Star Form With Lakers
Given how Dan Gilbert feels about giving L.A. a chance at Mitchell, it is questionable if Gilbert would permit his front management to deal Garland to the Lakers.
Ashish Mathur wrote on May 20 that Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert “would never” trade Mitchell to the Lakers, according to a source who spoke with Hoops Wire.
This resentment stems from LeBron James’ 2018 departure from the Cavs for Los Angeles, where he went on to win a championship, marking his second NBA departure from the team.
But putting pettiness aside as a motivator for the moment, the Lakers would need to muster the best offer for Garland to have any chance of securing him, which is going to mean draft picks and at least one valuable player.
Bobby Marks of ESPN on May 23 noted that Los Angeles can put together an attractive package for Mitchell that consists of three first-round picks, Rui Hachimura, and Austin Reaves. The Lakers would undoubtedly want to lower the price by acquiring a player or a pick, but the same assets might be involved in a deal for Garland.
After the 2021–22 season, which was Garland’s third in the league and his first year prior to Mitchell joining Cleveland, he was named an All-Star. According to Basketball Reference, Garland has averaged 18.4 points, 6.7 assists, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.2 steals throughout his career.
The 24-year-old, who was previously selected in the first round (with pick No. 5 overall in 2019), is currently contracted to play for Cleveland until 2027–2028 on a five-year, $197.2-million deal.
Lakers Must Move D’Angelo Russell’s Contract to Pursue Trade for Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell
Of course, for any of this to happen, the Lakers need to get D’Angelo Russell’s salary off the books. They can go about that in a couple different ways.
Initially, Russell may choose to forego his $18.7 million player option for the 2024–2025 season. The Lakers could then trade him if he decides to opt in. Marks described the team’s predicament, which is made more difficult by the league’s new salary cap apron structure.
“The Lakers would be allowed to aggregate contracts sent out if Russell does not return or they find a third team to take back his contract if he opts-in,” Marks wrote. Then, Reaves, Hachimura, and three first-round selections (2024, 2029, and 2031) might be traded by the Lakers.
L.A. can look to sign a third star and possibly make a run at the championship in 2024–25 if they can clear Russell’s debt.
