The Cleveland Cavaliers had an incredible regular season, finishing with a 64-18 record as the Eastern Conference’s top-seed. While they looked to be better prepared for the postseason under Kenny Atkinson in his first year leading the franchise, they were eliminated in five games in the second round of the postseason for the second consecutive year.
While the Cavaliers would like to keep their core of Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, and Darius Garland together, they may have to make a tough decision. Cleveland is one of three teams — along with the Boston Celtics and Phoenix Suns — currently above the second apron in 2025-26.
A recent report suggests that Allen and Garland may no longer be considered untouchable as the front office weighs their options.
“I think the two untouchables are Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley,” Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor stated Wednesday. “I have been getting the sense that the Cavs would be more willing to entertain and at least consider possibilities for Jarrett Allen and Darius Garland than they have in the past.”
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Garland is coming off of the second All-Star appearance of his career. He averaged 20.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.1 blocks per game while shooting 47.2% from the field, 40.1% from three-point range and 87.8% from the free-throw line.
His production took a step back in the postseason, however, as he appeared in just five out of a possible nine games due to a toe injury. He averaged 18.0 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 5.2 apg and 0.4 spg on 42.0/28.6/91.7 shooting splits. Fedor mentioned Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs as a fit in a potential trade.
Meanwhile, Allen saw his role and production take a step back in 2024-25 as Mobley continued his upwards trajectory. He averaged 13.5 ppg, 9.7 rpg, 1.9 apg, 0.9 spg and 0.9 bpg in 28.0 minutes per game while shooting 70.6% from the field. His points, rebounds, blocks and minutes were all his fewest since joining the Cavaliers.
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