Throughout the offseason, the Cleveland Cavaliers have been rumored to break up their backcourt duo of Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland .
Mitchell ended rumors surrounding his exit when he signed a three-year max
extension that could keep him in Cleveland through the 2027-28 season.
There were reports that Garland may be traded in the event of an extension for Mitchell. But it looks like the former
Vanderbilt guard is doing his part to quell talk of his exit, via Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com.
“I don’t want to be traded. Those are just rumors,” he told Fedor during the Cavs’
Summer League game against the Milwaukee Bucks .
The one-time All-Star has seen his usage rate drop since Mitchell’s arrival but is
keen to make the combo work under new coach Kenny Atkinson.While spacing hasn’t been a problem for the
Cavs, who finished seventh in the league in three-pointers made last season,
Garland’s fit with Mitchell is the real issue at hand.
Both are undersized and have similar skill sets that make their pairing redundant.
Cavs fans will be hoping that Atkinson can find a solution to get the most out of
this combo, which hasn’t yet translated to the playoffs.
