The Clippers’ punishment over salary cap circumvention could ripple far beyond the loss of five first-round picks, and one possible consequence is already making the rounds: Darius Garland may end up on the move.
Garland only joined L.A. in February as part of the James Harden trade, but the pressure on the Clippers to rebuild some of the draft capital they just lost could force some uncomfortable decisions. Sean Deveney of Heavy Sports has already floated the idea that Garland could become available as the team looks for ways to restock its future.
“The Aspiration-Kawhi Leonard punishment could set into motion a series of events that winds up with Garland being placed firmly on the market as the Clippers seek to recoup as many future draft picks from the roster. Anyone want to give up two picks for him?” Deveney said.
That kind of move would only make sense if Garland gets back to the level he showed in his last full season in Cleveland. The 26-year-old has dealt with a toe injury over the past 18 months and was limited to 45 combined games last season.
But if he rebounds, the appeal is obvious. During the 2024-25 season, he averaged more than 20 points and nearly seven assists while shooting 40.1% from three.
That’s where the Warriors enter the picture. Golden State has spent recent seasons trying to find a dependable backup for Stephen Curry, and even more urgently, a long-term answer for life after the 38-year-old eventually steps away. Garland checks a lot of boxes there.
In the short term, a Curry-Garland pairing would come with clear drawbacks. The defense would be shaky, and the size issue would be hard to ignore. But the upside is equally easy to see: Golden State would have an elite guard on the floor at all times, and Curry’s workload would get some much-needed relief.
The Warriors also can’t afford to ignore opportunities when a rival team’s situation opens a door like this. The Clippers are in a tough spot, and that kind of vulnerability can be used - even if recent history with Paul George and Kawhi Leonard makes it hard to imagine Steve Ballmer willingly helping the Bay Area again.
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