Darius Garland #10 of the Cleveland Cavaliers (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)
The Sacramento Kings have identified Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Darius Garland as a trade target as they seek to address the team’s vacancy at lead guard this offseason, multiple league sources told RG. Sacramento is motivated to find a long-term solution at point guard after trading De’Aaron Fox in February.
However, Garland recently underwent toe surgery and faces a lengthy recovery timetable. It remains to be seen if he will be available to start the regular season, which is naturally a factor any potential trade suitor must weigh. If his recovery extends on the longer side, he could miss training camp — limiting his ability to build chemistry with new teammates and coaches.
Kings Have Interest in Garland
The Kings are motivated to acquire a point guard this summer. After experimenting with Malik Monk at point guard down the stretch of the season, the organization recognizes the need for a true floor general as the team looks to reconfigure its roster after trading Fox.
“It’s no secret that we need a true point guard with this current mixture of talent on the roster,” Perry said on a recent podcast. “And there’s also no secret, in my opinion, that we need more length and athleticism along the frontline if we want to enhance this current group here.”
Garland, 25, averaged 20.6 points, 6.7 assists and 2.9 rebounds in 75 regular-season games this season, helping Cleveland to a 64-18 record and the top seed in the Eastern Conference. In the playoffs, he averaged 18.0 points, 5.2 assists and 2.2 rebounds, though he missed two games in each series with a sprained toe. The Cavaliers defeated the Miami Heat in the first round before falling to the Indiana Pacers in five games.
As Cleveland evaluates its roster this offseason, league sources indicate the Cavaliers are open to moving Garland under the right circumstances. A potential trade could reshape the team’s core around Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley, while offering Cleveland an opportunity to address long-term roster balance.
Trae Young Came Up in Recent Talks
While Sacramento has interest in Garland, multiple league sources told RG that the Atlanta Hawks have spoken with the Kings on a potential trade framework centered around Trae Young in recent weeks. However, those talks have since stalled.
The outcome of Young’s contract talks — with the guard eligible for a four-year, $229 million extension — is being monitored closely by teams around the league. For teams seeking a shot creator and playmaker, he could be an attainable option to pursue. Atlanta appears to be conducting due diligence in the event a trade is necessary.
Young, 26, averaged 24.2 points and 11.6 assists across 76 games last season. He has some fans in the Kings front office, but this trade construct has been met with resistance by Perry, sources informed RG. It’s believed that Sacramento values Garland over Young, though that stance was formed prior to news of Garland’s toe surgery.
In the past, teams seeking a point guard have often valued Garland over Young when evaluating potential options at the position. For example, that was the case when the San Antonio Spurs canvassed the point guard market last offseason, sources told RG. Cleveland ultimately chose not to move Garland at that time, and San Antonio addressed its point guard need before the midseason trade deadline by acquiring Fox from the Kings.
For now, the Kings’ point guard pursuit remains a situation to monitor — depending on how Young’s contract talks unfold in Atlanta and whether Sacramento’s preferred options remain viable
Grant Afseth
