The Cleveland Cavaliers may have to make a blockbuster trade.
A former NBA star believes the Cleveland Cavaliers need to break up the Donovan Mitchell-Darius Garland duo.
DeMarcus Cousins, who made four All-Star teams during his NBA career, thinks the Mitchell-Garland backcourt has run its course.
Mitchell and Garland have been teammates since the 2022-23 season. The Cavaliers haven't advanced past the second round of the playoffs with the two All-Star guards leading the way.
Cleveland had the best record in the Eastern Conference last season and swept the Miami Heat in the first round of the playoffs. It appeared the Wine and Gold were ready to go on a title run for the first time in franchise history without LeBron James on the roster.
However, the Cavaliers lost to the Indiana Pacers in the second round in five games and they have gotten off to a disappointing start this season. Mitchell, Garland and Co. are only 21-18. If the regular season ended today, Cleveland would be in the NBA play-in tournament as the eighth seed.
The Minnesota Timberwolves and Sacramento Kings are interested in trading for Garland. It will be interesting to see if the Cavaliers shop the Vanderbilt product with the NBA trade deadline one month away. Mitchell and Evan Mobley are untouchable in trade talks, but Garland and Jarrett Allen could be had for the right price.
Garland is averaging 17.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 6.9 assists per game this season while shooting 43.4% from the field, 34.5% from beyond the arc and 86.1% from the free-throw line.
Meanwhile, Mitchell is putting up 29.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 5.5 assists per contest while shooting 49.7% overall, 38.5% from 3 and 84.0% from the foul line.
The Cavaliers have the most expensive roster in the NBA. They are the only team above the second apron.
There's still plenty of time left in the regular season for the Cavaliers to turn things around. By all accounts, Koby Altman is not expected to make a big trade at the trade deadline, but things could change if his group continues to lose.
It will be interesting to see what the Cavaliers' record is at the end of the regular season.