The Cleveland Cavaliers are in trouble. A year removed from a 64-win season that had them looking like legitimate contenders in the East, they now sit at a middling 15-14 - a .500 team fighting for relevance rather than dominance. After back-to-back losses to the Chicago Bulls, including a 136-125 defeat that exposed some serious defensive issues, the Cavs look more like a team searching for answers than one ready to make a playoff push.
To put it in perspective: the Cavs didn’t lose their 14th game last season until March 21. This year, they hit that mark on December 19. That’s not just a step back - that’s a full-on regression.
Injuries have played a role, no doubt. Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen have been in and out of the lineup.
Evan Mobley is currently sidelined with a calf strain, and Donovan Mitchell - who’s been carrying the team offensively - missed the most recent loss due to illness. But even accounting for the health issues, this team just doesn’t look right.
The chemistry’s off, the defense is inconsistent, and the offense lacks the kind of rhythm you’d expect from a squad with this much talent.
And here’s the kicker: the Cavs are a second-apron team. That means they’re boxed in financially, with limited flexibility to make moves under the league’s new CBA restrictions.
They can’t aggregate contracts in trades, and they can’t take on significantly more salary than they’re sending out. In other words, they’re stuck - unless they’re willing to make a bold move.
One potential trade could shake things up in a big way:
Cavs receive: Julius Randle, Rob Dillingham, Leonard Miller, 2028 first-round pick swap (from Minnesota)
Timberwolves receive: Darius Garland
Let’s break this down.
Why Minnesota makes the call: The Timberwolves have been hunting for a long-term answer at point guard. Mike Conley has been steady, but he’s clearly nearing the end of his run as a starting-caliber floor general.
Rob Dillingham, while talented, isn’t ready to take over the reins. And in the meantime, they’ve been leaning heavily on Anthony Edwards to initiate the offense - a role that’s not ideal for maximizing his scoring potential.
They’ve even turned to Bones Hyland in stretches, and while Hyland has flashed some scoring punch, he’s not the answer in a playoff setting. Minnesota needs a primary ball handler who can create, distribute, and take pressure off Edwards. Enter Garland.
The Timberwolves have had their eye on Garland dating back to the 2019 draft, when Cleveland took him at No. 5, leaving Minnesota to settle for Jarrett Culver. Garland is under contract for three more seasons, giving the Wolves a long-term solution at the point.
And while he’s not a big-bodied guard, his offensive skill set - especially in the pick-and-roll - is elite. He’d give Minnesota a much-needed offensive organizer without completely sacrificing their defensive identity.
Why Cleveland considers it: Trading Garland would be a tough pill to swallow. He’s a homegrown star, a 2022 All-Star, and one of the league’s premier pick-and-roll operators.
But the fit alongside Mitchell has always been a bit awkward. Two undersized guards in the same backcourt can work in the regular season, but in the playoffs?
That’s where the cracks show. Opposing teams hunt mismatches, and the Garland-Mitchell duo has been picked apart in high-leverage moments.
By moving Garland, the Cavs could reconfigure their roster around Mitchell - who could slide into more of a lead guard role - and surround him with bigger, more versatile wings. Julius Randle, while not a perfect player, brings toughness, rebounding, and secondary playmaking. He’s a bruising forward who can take some of the creation burden off Mitchell and potentially thrive in a system where he isn’t the No. 1 option.
Rob Dillingham adds a high-upside young guard to the mix, while Leonard Miller brings size, athleticism, and developmental potential in the frontcourt. The 2028 pick swap gives Cleveland some long-term flexibility - a valuable asset for a team that may soon be retooling on the fly.
And let’s not forget the ripple effect this could have on the frontcourt. With Randle in the mix, the Cavs could move Mobley to full-time center, which might be his best long-term position anyway. That would make Jarrett Allen either a top-tier bench big or a trade chip to bring in a true 3-and-D wing - something this roster desperately needs.
There’s also internal depth to consider. Craig Porter Jr. has looked solid in limited minutes.
Lonzo Ball, if healthy, still offers elite defensive instincts and smart ball movement. The Cavs wouldn’t be devoid of options at guard if Garland were to go.
Bottom line: The Cavs aren’t blowing it up - not yet, anyway. But something has to give.
This team was built to contend, and right now, they’re barely staying afloat. Garland may be the odd man out, not because he isn’t good, but because the fit no longer works.
It’s a tough decision, but one that could open up a new path forward.
Whether this trade happens midseason or in the summer, one thing is clear: Cleveland can’t afford to stand pat much longer. They’ve gone from a 64-win juggernaut to a .500 team in less than a year. If they don’t act soon, they risk wasting the prime of one of the league’s most dynamic scorers in Mitchell - and letting a promising core drift further from contention.