In-depth analysis: If the Cavaliers rebuild, Garland s top 5 best trading destinations

If the Cleveland Cavaliers decide to adjust their roster, Dalius Garland's top five best trading destinations rank.

Earlier this week, the Cleveland Cavaliers came to an abrupt end in the 2024-25 season, losing to the Indiana Pacers in five games in the second round of the NBA playoffs. Despite 64 wins in the regular season (the second best record in team history) and a 16-game winning streak, the Cavaliers failed to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals for the third consecutive year.

Head coach Kenny Atkinson won the title of Coach of the Year in his first season in Cleveland, and he led a roster that includes three 2025 NBA All-Stars: Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Dalius Garland. This marks the fourth time in Cavaliers' history that three players have been selected to the All-Star. However, Garland's playoff struggles cast a shadow on his future. The 25-year-old guard averaged only 14 points, four assists and two rebounds per game, shooting 34.2% from the field and 6 three-pointers, shooting 16.7% from the field against the Indiana Pacers. These numbers fell sharply compared to his regular season performance. During the regular season, he averaged 20.6 points, 6.7 assists and 1.2 steals per game, shooting 47.2% from the field and 40.1% from three-point shooting.

Cleveland has once again suffered a disappointing elimination in the playoffs, and the pressure to build a team around Mitchell is getting greater and greater, and Garland is likely to become the core figure in the trade negotiations. If the Cavaliers decide to reorganize or cut off their existing roster, several teams will become reasonable suitors for the former All-Star.

5. The Portland Trail Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers may be one of the teams interested in Darius Garland, especially in the case of doubts about Anfini Simmons' long-term adaptability. The Portland Trail Blazers have made significant progress this season, with the team winning 15 games under head coach Chauncey Billups, ending the season with a record of 36 wins and 46 losses. Despite missing the playoffs, the Trail Blazers seem to have the motivation to accelerate their reconstruction.

Potential trading options may include Simmons ($27.6 million, expired in 2026), Robert Williams III ($13.2 million, expired), the 11th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, and the 2027 first-round pick (top ten protected) in exchange for Garland and Isaac Okoro ($11 million, valid until 2027).

25-year-old Simmons performed similarly on the offensive end to Simmons, averaging 19.3 points, 4.8 assists and 2.7 rebounds per game, shooting 42.6% from the field and 36.3% from three-pointers. Williams, 26, will bring additional basket protection and defensive diversity to the bench, although his durability remains worrying. He has only played 20 games this season and has only played 61 games in the past three years. Ocorro, 24, averaged 6.1 points per game and shot 37.1% from three points, and will add a young defensive forward to the Portland Trail Blazers.

4. The Toronto Raptors

The Toronto Raptors signed Brandon Ingram from the New Orleans Pelicans before the trade deadline and formed a new core roster with Scotty Barnes, a move that caused a sensation. Toronto ended the season with a record of 30 wins and 52 losses, ranking 11th in the Eastern Conference. With Ingram going to make his debut in the 2025-26 season and Barnes will continue to improve, the Raptors may consider introducing high-level defenders like Dalius Garland to perfect their Trident roster.

The lineups that Toronto can offer include Emanuel Quickley ($32.5 million, valid until 2029), Ochai Abaji ($6.3 million, expired), a 2026 first-round draft pick and a 2028 first-round draft pick. Quickley is 25 years old and averages 17.1 points, 5.8 assists and 3.5 rebounds in 33 games after the trade, shooting 42% from the field and 37.8% from three-pointers. Abaji, who is also 25 years old, played the best season of his career, averaging 10.4 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game, shooting 49.8% from the field and shooting close to 40% from three-pointers. The Cavaliers will receive young and reliable defender Quickley and efficient winger Abaji, as well as future draft capital. Garland will immediately become the shooting creator of the open space around Barnes and Ingram.

3. Miami Heat

The Miami Heat became the first No. 10 seed to advance to the playoffs with the playoffs, but was swept by the Cavaliers in the first round of the playoffs. Early exit exposed the Miami Heat's need to strengthen offensive firepower in the backcourt, and Garland will be very compatible with the team's current lineup. The salary portfolios that the Miami Heat can offer include Andrew Wiggins ($28.2 million as of 2027), Kyle Anderson ($9.2 million as of 2027), Pelle Larson ($1.9 million as of 2027), the 2025 NBA Draft 20th pick and a 2029 first-round pick (top 10 picks protected).

27-year-old Wiggins recovered in form this season, averaging 18 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1 steal per game. His shooting percentage was as high as 44.8% and his three-point shooting percentage was as high as 37.4%. Anderson, 31, is an experienced veteran who averages 5.9 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game, shooting 46.9% from the field. Larson, 24, showed potential for rotation in his rookie season, averaging 4.6 points and 1.7 rebounds in 55 games.

Dalyus Garland will provide the Heat with an elite shooting creator to complement the offenses of Taylor Sheero and Bam Adebayo, while Cleveland will gain experienced depth and future potential.

2. The Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets have made great progress this season, ending the season with a record of 52 wins and 30 losses, and firmly ranking second in the Western Conference, but lost to the Golden State Warriors in the first round of seven games. Although the defensive performance is good, the Rockets' offensive end is difficult to maintain stability, which makes Garland a potential trading target.

trading options include Dillon Brooks ($21.1 million, valid until 2027), Jabbarry Smith ($12.3 million, expired), Jock Langdale ($8 million, valid until 2027), 2027 first-round draft pick (Brookly swap rights for the Brooklyn Nets), and 2028 first-round draft pick.

29-year-old Brooks has performed well this season, averaging 14 points in 75 games and shooting 39.7% from three-pointers. Smith, 22, averaged 12.2 points and 7 rebounds per game, shooting 43.8% from the field and 35.4% from three-pointers. Langdale, 29, has strengthened the depth of the frontcourt, and has shot more than 53% from the field and 42.3% from three-pointers in limited playing time.

For the Houston Rockets, Darius Garland's arrival will immediately raise their offensive caps and bring a more dynamic backcourt partner to Alperen Sengon and Jaylen Green.

1. The Orlando Magic

The Orlando Magic's offensive performance declined in the 2024-25 season, ranking 27th in the league in average scores, and ranked last in the playoffs, with only 93.6 points per game. They lost to the Boston Celtics in the first five rounds of the playoffs. The injury of Paul Bancello and Franz Wagner made the team expected to continue their 47-win record in the 2024 season, and finally ended the season with a record of 41 wins and 41 losses.

The Orlando Magic can try to solve the offensive dilemma and the depth of point guards by providing a package including Kentavius ​​Caldwell Pope ($21.6 million to 2027), Cole Anthony ($13.1 million to 2027), Goga Bitaze ($8.3 million to 2027), Cory Joseph ($3.4 million, expired), the 2025 NBA Draft No. 25 pick, and the 2027 first-round pick (in exchange for Garland and Dean Wade) ($6.6 million, expired).

32-year-old Caldwell Pope averaged 8.7 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.3 steals in 77 games, with a three-point shooting percentage of up to 34.2%. Anthony, 25, came on as a substitute, averaged 9.4 points per game; Bitaze, 25, defended steadily, averaged 7.2 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game, with a shooting percentage of up to 61.1%. Wade, 28, opened offensive space for Cleveland, averaged 5.4 points per game and shot as high as 36% from three-pointers.

Magic will get a true core defender like Garland to stabilize the offense and improve space; while the Cavaliers will get lineup depth, flexibility and two first-round draft picks, building the team with Mitchell as the core.

If the Cavaliers decide to give up Dalius Garland, the following five teams will offer an attractive roster combination that will meet Cleveland’s schedule and needs.