Even though the Lakers have added to the back end of their roster, many still wonder if there’s room for upgrades up front. Bleacher Report recently compiled a list of “realistic” dream trade targets for every NBA team, and fans may be familiar with their choice for the Lakers.
Lakers Rumors: East PG Viewed as “Realistic” Dream Trade Target
From “The Land” to LA?
B/R’s Eric Pincus views Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland as the most realistic option for the purple and gold. Across 57 games, the 24-year-old averaged 18 points, 6.5 assists and 2.7 rebounds on .446/.371/.834 splits. The fifth pick of the 2019 NBA Draft, Garland has enjoyed putting up big numbers in “The Land,” boasting consecutive 20-PPG years in 2021-22—his All-Star season—and 2022-23. He has been one bright spot in Cleveland’s post-LeBron James era and a key piece of a core that includes Donovan Mitchell and the recently re-signed Isaac Okoro.
Still, Pincus believe the Lakers could target Garland at the right price:
“The Lakers may avoid the three-star concept, especially given the restrictive new rules and the team’s high payroll, which has bottlenecked its flexibility this summer.
Still, if Darius Garland became available out of Cleveland, the Lakers would probably offer both of their firsts to the Cavaliers for the young guard. Salary matching would be complex, probably requiring more than one team.”
Garland’s Benefit to the Lakers
Garland, if available, would certainly be an intriguing fit for the Lakers. He has already proven he can start for a contender and has put up big numbers against strong competition. Garland scored 30 points or more four times this season, but all of them came against worthy playoff-bound teams—the Orlando Magic (36), Minnesota Timberwolves (34), Phoenix Suns (32) and Philadelphia 76ers (30). His continued improvement as a facilitator is another benefit for LA, who have strived to take the ball-handling pressure off of James and Anthony Davis in recent years. Also, Garland has been just as solid defensively, tying a career-high average of 1.3 steals per game this season and racking up 74 total swipes.
Granted, the major question that comes with Garland is whether he’s a legitimate upgrade over D’Angelo Russell. Following a productive season of 18 points and six assists per game on .456/415/.828 splits, some may argue that D’Lo is perfectly fine where he is. However, the thing that separates the two talented point guards is their playoff performances. Russell has notoriously struggled under the postseason’s bright lights, but Garland has consistently thrived under them. While the Cavs made their run to the second round last year, Garland averaged 15.7 points, 3.6 rebounds and 5.8 assists on .427/.352/.810 splits. In his playoff debut the season before, he turned heads with a 20.6-PPG showing despite Cleveland’s first-round exit. It’s clear Garland has been an X-factor for the Cavs in the playoffs, though the same cannot be said for Russell on the Lakers.
If Garland became available at some point in the season, the Lakers would be wise to call up the Cavs in hopes of acquiring a standout two-way threat and proven playoff performer.
