Cavs Not Feeling Motivated To Trade Darius Garland, Core Four

The rumors are out there but for now, that’s all they are — rumors. Truth is, the Cavaliers may not be looking to strike any major deals this summer.

At least, not any involving their so-called Core Four. That would be none other than Donovan Mitchell, Jarrett Allen, Evan Mobley, and yes, Darius Garland.

It’s the name of Garland we are hearing most, especially after an incredibly rocky season in which he was injured and terribly inconsistent. But the Cavaliers have several other priorities.

That includes hiring a coach to replace J.B. Bickerstaff, let go after five-and-a-half seasons. They also need to wait and see if Mitchell intends to sign a contract extension. Their entire summer and future roster moves will be based on that. Oh, they also need to make a draft pick (No. 20 overall) on June 26.

Now, we’ve heard that if Mitchell signs an extension Garand’s agent, Rich Paul, will request a trade. There is likely some truth to that. But no such request has been made and Koby Altman and the Cavs are standing pat for the time being. Barring a request, Garland very well could return.

As written by Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports: “The Cavs don’t appear very motivated to listen to trade inquiries for any member of their core four, sources said, even with the possibility that Garland’s representation at Klutch Sports could move to request a trade if Mitchell extends long term.”

In other words, the idea is to bring in a new coach and otherwise run it back. At least for training camp and early next season. You have all the way until the February trade deadline to make a deal. No need to rush, seems to be the rally cry.

And frankly, why not? The Cavs finished with the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference for the second straight year and advanced to the second round of the playoffs. Even if totally healthy, most people didn’t expect them to get past the Boston Celtics, now headed to the NBA Finals.

Perhaps a new coach can fix the issues that ailed the Cavaliers. There wasn’t a ton of them — it’s that the issues that they did experience were very obvious.

But again, there are worse things than giving this group another chance under new leadership. There are plenty of positives for the Cavaliers. The plan now, it appears, is to try to build on those.