The Cleveland Cavalier appear to be making some big changes ahead of next year.
This week, the team made the surprising decision to fire J. B. Bickerstaff after five seasons. Why did the move catch some off guard? Because, by any objective measure, the Cavs are fresh off a pretty solid campaign.
Yes, they got bounced in the second round of the postseason – but few expected them to make it that far to begin with. And the only reason they didn’t put up much of a fight against the Boston Celtics in that second round is because all of the team’s best players were injured.
Nevertheless, it appears as though that doesn’t matter to the front office. Changes are being made in spire of the team’s performance this past year.
There has been chatter that Cleveland might opt to trade Donovan Mitchell ahead of him possibly leaving for nothing. The Los Angeles Lakers are one of two teams that have already prepared offers for the All-Star guard. Their best offer for Mitchell is a matter of public record.
That said, unless Mitchell expressly states he wants out, it is far more likely that the Cavs opt to trade Darius Garland instead. The Lakers are interested in him as well, though they aren’t the frontrunners to acquire him. Another NBA team has leapfrogged them in that regard.
This week, ESPN NBA inside Bobby Marks revealed what the Lakers would have to give up for Garland.
“If the Cavaliers do make Garland available, one trade that could make sense would be a package centered around the Los Angeles Lakers’ Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura,” Marks wrote.
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“Reaves’ shooting skills would complement Mitchell, and Hachimura gives the Cavaliers depth in the frontcourt if they look to trade Allen.”
The one possible wrinkle there? Mitchell’s lack of desire to remain in Clevland.
“What cannot happen for Cleveland’s sake is Mitchell signs an extension in July, Cleveland trades Garland or Allen, and then Mitchell asks out one year later,” Marks pointed out.
Will the Lakers and Cavaliers ultimately get something done centered around Garland this summer? Time will tell.
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Charles Kruger has been credentialed to cover two Super Bowls, four NBA Finals, and one World Series. A 20-year veteran in the sports world, he has sources spanning the NBA, MLB, NFL, UFC and NASCAR. Currently residing in Los Angeles, Calif., he is Game 7’s go-to source for rumors surrounding the Lakers, Clippers and Dodgers.
