This past offseason, Darius Garland "made it clear internally that he wasn't content camping out in the corner," sources tell The Athletic. Garland had become more of an auxiliary part of the Cleveland Cavaliers' offense last season with Donovan Mitchell taking a bigger role in Year 2.
At the end of the Cavaliers' season, a report emerged that Garland could request a trade if Mitchell signed an extension with the franchise.
The Cavaliers instead parted ways with J.B. Bickerstaff and hired Kenny Atkinson with the hope of maximizing their existing core rather than making a trade.
Garland is producing at an even higher level on a per-minute basis than he was during his All-Star season in 2021-22 (31.6 points and 10.8 assists per 100 possessions this season compared to 29.7 points and 11.8 assists then).
