When the Cleveland Cavaliers pulled off the blockbuster trade for Donovan Mitchell back in 2022, the move was met with both excitement and skepticism. On paper, pairing Mitchell with Darius Garland gave the Cavs one of the most dynamic young backcourts in the league. But from the jump, there were questions-about size, defense, and how two ball-dominant guards would truly coexist.
Fast forward a few seasons, and those questions never really went away. Cleveland stuck with its core four-Mitchell, Garland, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen-for over three years, hoping continuity would breed chemistry.
But behind the scenes, not everyone was sold on the fit. According to a report from The Athletic, even Mitchell himself wasn’t convinced.
In fact, he reportedly urged the front office to explore a trade that would send Garland out and bring in James Harden.
Yes, that James Harden.
Per the report, two league sources confirmed that Mitchell specifically wanted Harden-citing his size (6-foot-5), his durability, and his ability to play as a pass-first point guard-as a better fit alongside him. That’s a telling detail. It suggests that despite the public commitment to the Garland-Mitchell duo, there may have been tension under the surface, or at the very least, a lack of belief in the long-term viability of the pairing.
It also adds some context to earlier reports that Garland’s camp would consider pushing for a trade if Mitchell signed an extension. That wasn’t just noise-it was the sound of a backcourt trying to figure out its future in real time.
Garland’s development, which once looked like it was on a star trajectory, seemed to stall after Mitchell’s arrival. Injuries didn’t help, and his defensive struggles became more glaring without the offensive leap to offset them. For a competitor like Mitchell, who’s trying to shed the label of a second-round ceiling and prove he can be the centerpiece of a deep playoff run, that kind of stagnation can be frustrating.
And let’s be real-Mitchell has heard the criticism. About not getting past the second round.
About whether he can carry a team. About whether Cleveland is the right place for him to do it.
Pushing for a trade like this might’ve been his way of saying, “If I’m going to be the guy here, give me the tools I need.”
Whether or not the Cavs ever seriously considered bringing in Harden is another story. But the fact that Mitchell made the ask speaks volumes.
It also hints at how the organization views its future: if they were willing to entertain moving Garland, a homegrown All-Star, it shows they’re all-in on Mitchell. It also suggests they may have real concerns about Garland’s long-term health and fit.
Of course, swapping out a 24-year-old guard for a veteran like Harden-who’s a decade older and has his own playoff baggage-would’ve been a bold, if risky, move. But sometimes, teams have to take those swings to keep their stars happy.
That’s the reality of the NBA. It’s not always about sentiment or potential-it’s about windows, timelines, and making sure your best player doesn’t start eyeing the exit.
In the end, Garland’s time in Cleveland may be winding down-not because he failed, but because the fit just never clicked the way the Cavs hoped. And if Mitchell is going to be the face of the franchise moving forward, the front office may have to keep reshaping the roster until they find the right pieces around him.
This isn’t personal. It’s business. And in the NBA, business moves fast.