As the Phoenix Suns canvassed the league in search for a Kevin Durant trade, they inquired with the Cleveland Cavaliers on a trade for Darius Garland. The Cavaliers wanted other assets along with Durant from the Suns in exchange for Garland. Phoenix eventually moved forward with a trade sending Durant to the Houston Rockets for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick and five second round picks.
"The Suns, from what I'm told, reached out and had interest in Garland," said Brian Windhorst on ESPN Cleveland. "It was not the Cavs who wanted to trade Garland."
"The Cavs said the only way they would ever consider this would be if the Suns sent Kevin Durant plus other assets. And the Suns didn't hang up the phone. I'll just point out that the Suns own the Cavs 2029 first round pick because they got it from the Jazz last year. And getting back your own picks in the distant future is somewhat attractive.
"But the Cavs to do that trade would have had to offload salary because they just couldn't take it on. I do think they had some calls about bringing in third teams. It just wasn't one call. And it wouldn't have been just Durant. And it wasn't them looking to trade Garland, but they made more than one call. This was a while ago."
Garland underwent surgery on his left great toe and will be out four to five months.