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The Cleveland Cavaliers enter this offseason at a crossroads, frustrated by another early playoff exit, yet far from lost. Their second-round loss to the Indiana Pacers has intensified trade speculation surrounding Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen, but despite the noise, the most prudent path forward for the Cavs may be one of patience, not panic.
Garland and Allen are not untouchable, nor should they be. In today’s NBA, no team can afford to ignore inquiries or resist re-evaluating its roster. With the second tax apron limiting flexibility and amplifying financial pressures, the Cavs are right to explore all avenues for improvement. However, openness does not equate to obligation, and dealing with either Garland or Allen would be a misstep unless a clear upgrade is available, something that has yet to materialize.
The offers the Cavs could get for either would be underwhelming
The trade offers currently being floated do not move the needle. Garland, despite his postseason struggles, remains one of the league’s most gifted offensive creators. Replacing Garland with packages centered around role players like Mike Conley, Donte DiVincenzo, or Jalen Suggs would represent a regression. Cleveland has already accomplished the difficult task of drafting and developing an All-Star-caliber guard. Trading him for a collection of question marks would compromise that progress.
The same logic applies to Allen. His fit next to Evan Mobley may not be seamless, but Allen is still one of the most dependable rim protectors and rebounders in the NBA. Proposals featuring the likes of Rui Hachimura or Austin Reaves simply do not offer enough of an upgrade, if any, to justify moving a player who has anchored Cleveland’s defense for multiple seasons.
What makes the situation even more complex is the Cavs’ proximity to contention. Team president Koby Altman has acknowledged the organization’s high expectations, referencing a “wide-open championship window” that remains intact.
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The Cavs, he noted, are past the rebuild phase and into the territory of consistent playoff appearances and deep postseason aspirations. Garland and Allen are part of that framework. They are not perfect, but they are reliable, talented, and already integrated into the team’s culture and chemistry.
Altman has emphasized that staying the course should not be mistaken for complacency. Last summer, despite external pressure following a first-round loss to the Knicks, the Cavs resisted the urge to overreact. That decision proved wise, resulting in a 48-win season and their first playoff series win since 2018. Altman sees no reason to abandon that approach now.
Cleveland's internal growth could be the way forward
Internal growth remains the most logical path forward, particularly under the constraints of the new collective bargaining agreement. With limited trade options and little financial wiggle room, Cleveland’s best shot at elevating its ceiling may come from within. That means Garland must get stronger and more durable. Mobley needs to continue developing offensively. The roster needs shooting, spacing, and health—none of which require sacrificing core talent to address.
The Cavs are not a broken team. They are a competitive team that needs tweaks, not a teardown. Mitchell remains the star centerpiece. Mobley is still ascending. Garland and Allen, for all their limitations, remain valuable contributors under manageable contracts. That kind of continuity matters, especially when so many of their Eastern Conference rivals face uncertainty of their own.
The temptation to make a splash is real. But not every offseason demands a blockbuster. Sometimes the boldest move is restraint. The Cavs have every reason to believe in their core because the pieces are already in place. Now it’s about refining, not reinventing. And while trade rumors will persist, the smarter long-term play may simply be to run it back, smarter and stronger.
