The Cleveland Cavaliers made a bold move in their push for contention, shipping Darius Garland to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for James Harden. It was a win-now decision, plain and simple. With a narrow championship window and a roster built to compete today, the Cavs saw Harden as the piece that could elevate them in the short term - and so far, that bet is paying off.
But the Garland situation is more complicated than just a roster shuffle. His health has been a lingering concern, and it’s clear now that the injuries he’s battled over the past year are still very much part of the story.
Garland last suited up on January 14 in a win over the Philadelphia 76ers, but left that game with a right great toe injury. At the time, the Cavaliers said he’d be re-evaluated in 7-10 days.
That injury, however, wasn’t the only issue. It came on the opposite foot from the one that had already caused him serious problems - a left toe injury that sidelined him during last season’s playoffs and ultimately required offseason surgery.
He returned to the floor early this season, but something was clearly off. The burst, the shiftiness, the lateral quickness that made Garland such a dynamic playmaker - it just wasn’t there.
And he knew it. He acknowledged at times that he wasn’t moving the way he wanted to, and the tape backed it up.
Now with the Clippers, Garland is still working his way back. According to team president Lawrence Frank, Garland’s right toe sprain - the more recent injury - has healed.
But that surgically repaired left toe? Still sore.
Still limiting him. And it’s going to keep him out indefinitely.
Garland addressed the situation during his Clippers introduction, saying he’s “back on the court, working out, doing all the things I love to do. Just waiting on the green light - I’m ready to hoop.”
That’s encouraging. But the Clippers are playing the long game here.
“We are going to manage this correctly, OK?” Frank said.
“We are not gonna skip any steps. Because we think the short-term investment will lead to long-term rewards.
… We’re gonna get it right and take as long as it takes. But we’re very confident that by taking the time now, it’s gonna give him a long runway.
He’s only 26, and we want to see him playing at a high level for a long time.”
That’s the right mindset. Garland is still in his mid-20s, and when healthy, he’s one of the league’s most creative and efficient young guards. But the fact that he’s still not 100% - and hasn’t been for quite some time - is a real concern, especially for a player whose game relies so much on quickness and agility.
From Cleveland’s perspective, it’s tough. Garland was supposed to be a foundational piece, and his absence during last year’s playoff run was a major blow.
Now, with Harden in the fold and playing at a high level, the Cavs are getting the production they need. But it’s hard not to wonder what might’ve been if Garland had been healthy when they needed him most.
For the Clippers, the hope is that patience pays off. They’re betting on Garland’s long-term value - not just what he can bring this season, but what he can become once he’s fully healthy. And if that happens, this trade could end up being a win for both sides.
But for now, Garland remains in wait-and-see mode. And until he’s back to full strength, his next chapter remains on hold.