7 players the Cavaliers could use to replace Darius Garland at the trade deadline

The Cleveland Cavaliers are entering a pivotal season. They reached the second round of the playoffs last year and all members of their core roster are under contract through 2027. Can Cleveland become a real title contender with this group? They need Darius Garland to return to his All-Star form, but even that might not be enough.

The Cavs have two below-average guards and two big men who can't shoot as their best players. That's not the ideal mix, especially in the playoffs when teams tend to rely on mismatches and weaknesses. Cleveland believes in this group, but what if things fall apart before the deadline?

Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley seem to be locked in as the Cavaliers' core players. The franchise could consider trading Garland and Jarrett Allen if things don't go as planned. Several teams have committed to the five, meaning the All-Star point guard will most likely be traded. Who could the Cavs get in return?

This sounds odd, but the Rockets have a decision to make about Green and how he fits with their young talent. Houston wants to compete and needs a star to make that happen. Fred VanVleet could become a free agent in the 2025 offseason, and the Rockets could look to secure a long-term option at point guard.

Green is an elite scorer with more size than Garland. The Cavaliers would target several young players from Houston and this trade could give them the opportunity to land another blockbuster. In the meantime, Green could thrive with a change of scenery. He would be questionable in Cleveland, but opting for youth and potential could prove to be the no-brainer the Cavs need to become serious title contenders.

While this is unlikely, Houston is far from the only team with potential interest in Darius Garland.

The Spurs signed Chris Paul but are still looking for a long-term solution at the point guard position. Stephon Castle was selected fourth in the 2024 NBA Draft, but his best role may be as a secondary playmaker. San Antonio wants a young guard to grow with Victor Wembanyama as they climb up the standings.

This trade likely involves Johnson and several draft picks. The 24-year-old wing shot 34.6 percent of his 3-pointers last season and still has room to improve. The Cavs need him to continue to improve, but getting a young wing and a couple of first-round picks for Garland might be the best move on the board.

The Wizards traded Kuzma before the 2024 trade deadline and are still in the early stages of a rebuild. They are looking for their point guard for the present and future and have no qualms about trading the 29-year-old forward at the right moment.

Kuzma played an off-ball role during the Lakers' 2020 championship run. The 6-foot-1 forward can score baskets, grab rebounds and defend multiple positions. He hit over 36 percent of his 3-pointers in 2021, and his percentage should be average or better with more catch-and-shoot opportunities.

The Cavaliers need a winger to complete their roster, and they will have a hard time finding someone better than Kyle Kuzma on the transfer market.

Ingram is definitely available and the drama is just beginning to unfold. The Pelicans would ideally trade him before opening night, but that seems unlikely. The All-Star forward is a standout offensive talent, but his defensive issues coupled with his need for the ball make things difficult.

New Orleans would love to get Jarrett Allen away from Cleveland, but can the two sides pull off a blockbuster deal together? There could be several moving pieces that allow the Cavs to build a cohesive unit around Mitchell and Mobley.

That seems unlikely, but stranger things have happened. If both teams are desperate near the deadline, this could be a surprising move that helps both franchises.

The pressure is on for the Lakers as LeBron turns 40 soon. Los Angeles hoped Reaves would develop into a star, but the 26-year-old is more of a top-tier supporting player. Will the Lakers go after a star before the deadline to compete for a championship?

Garland is repped by Rich Paul and Klutch. They are the ones who dropped the report about a possible trade request (subscription required) if Mitchell signed a contract extension. Mitchell is in jail and Paul could try to link his client to LeBron in LA.

The Cavaliers would have to take back several players, but may have a better roster and more potential to compete. That would be a big risk. Getting a needed winger to clear the court helps them, but at what cost?

New Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson likes to play five-man and wide open. KAT is one of the best 7-foot-4 shooters of all time, and things could change quickly in Minnesota.

The Timberwolves reached the Conference Finals in 2024 but were knocked out by the Mavericks. Towns played well in the playoffs. Minnesota's problems lie in spending and ownership. No one knows who will be in charge and how much they are willing to spend. If payroll needs to be cut, trading KAT, Rudy Gobert or Naz Reid seems like the most obvious move.

The Cavaliers will have to trade a big man before they can sign Towns, but this could be just the shakeup Cleveland needs. KAT is a space-covering five who could loosen up their offense. While it would cause problems on defense, sharing the small backcourt and two non-shooting big men could do wonders for the franchise.

This move is unlikely, but there will likely be few stars. Karl-Anthony Towns is not the perfect choice and the Cavs may only have one chance at a better player on the top market.

The Heat have no plans to extend Butler's contract (subscription required), which would make the six-time All-Star an unrestricted free agent in the 2025 offseason. If Miami falters or decides against bringing back Jimmy Buckets, it would be wise to trade him before the deadline.

Upgrading from Garland to Butler would be huge for the Cavaliers' title chances this season. They would be signing a 35-year-old with a significant injury history, but that's a risk a team with championship aspirations has to take.

Talent will be there, but the Cleveland Cavaliers will likely stick with their four starters. A lot of talk is expected. Everyone will be waiting for a blockbuster, but only time will tell if it happens.