The Cleveland Cavaliers are in a very different place than they were just a year ago. After opening the 2024-25 season on fire with a 25-5 record, they now find themselves hovering around .500 at 15-14 in the 2025-26 campaign.
That kind of drop-off has naturally sparked trade chatter-and not just around the fringes. We’re talking about some of the core pieces of this roster.
Let’s start with Darius Garland. The 25-year-old point guard has reportedly expressed interest in leading his own team, rather than continuing in a secondary role behind Donovan Mitchell.
It’s a storyline that’s been brewing for a while-Garland has the talent, the vision, and the offensive creativity to be a lead guard. And around the league, teams are paying attention.
The Sacramento Kings and Minnesota Timberwolves are both monitoring the situation, viewing Garland as a relatively low-risk trade target. He’s young, he’s proven, and he’s under contract.
For teams looking to make a splash without blowing up their future, Garland’s name carries weight.
Then there’s Jarrett Allen, the Cavs’ 27-year-old center. While his name has surfaced in rumors, league insiders suggest he’s less likely to be moved.
That’s not for lack of interest-Allen is a double-double machine with elite rim protection and a growing offensive game. But the Cavs value him highly, and unless a team comes in with an offer that absolutely knocks their socks off, it’s hard to see Cleveland parting ways with their anchor in the paint.
Dean Wade is another name to watch, though he flies a bit more under the radar. At 29, Wade is on an expiring $6.6 million deal, making him a flexible piece for teams looking to tweak their cap sheet or add depth without long-term commitment. He’s the kind of player who could be included in a larger package-maybe not the headline, but definitely a useful piece.
Of course, all of this is happening against the backdrop of a season that hasn’t gone according to plan. Injuries have piled up, rotations have been shuffled, and the chemistry that defined last year’s hot start hasn’t quite clicked the same way.
There’s still time for Cleveland to right the ship, especially if they get healthy and find some rhythm. But if things don’t turn around soon, the front office may feel pressure to shake things up before February’s trade deadline.
The next few weeks will be telling. Are the Cavs going to ride this out and bet on internal improvement, or will they look to retool around Mitchell and Evan Mobley with a bold midseason move? Either way, the trade winds are swirling in Cleveland-and the league is watching closely.