Cavs need to keep Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland together

The Mitchell-Garland Duo: A Case for PatienceThe Mitchell-Garland Duo: A Case for Patience With the Cleveland Cavaliers’ playoff elimination, speculation has swirled about the potential breakup of the Donovan Mitchell-Darius Garland duo. However, the author believes that Cleveland should exercise patience before making such a drastic decision. Mitchell and Garland were acquired in hopes of forming a potent combination, but the Cavs have not yet lived up to expectations. Despite winning 51 games in 2022-23 and 48-34 this season, they were ousted in the first round of the playoffs. However, the author draws parallels to the Jayson Tatum-Jaylen Brown pairing in Boston, who initially faced similar doubts. The Celtics’ success this season serves as a cautionary tale against prematurely breaking up young duos. Statistically, Mitchell and Garland have performed well together. Mitchell has averaged 26.6 points and 6.1 assists per game, while Garland has maintained his efficiency despite slightly reduced scoring. The author acknowledges Garland’s injury history as a legitimate concern but argues that his supposed “bad chemistry” with Mitchell is premature to judge. Both players are skilled scorers and underrated playmakers with adequate defensive abilities. The article emphasizes the scarcity of players like Mitchell and Garland and suggests that the Cavs should give the duo at least another year to prove themselves. If progress is not made, then a reassessment may be necessary. In conclusion, the author strongly advocates that the Cavaliers retain Mitchell and Garland heading into the 2024-2025 season. Their talent and potential should outweigh any short-term setbacks, and the team should remain hopeful that they can eventually achieve the success they have been chasing.

As soon as the Cleveland Cavaliers were eliminated from the playoffs last month, we immediately heard speculation that the Cavaliers could split the Donovan Mitchell-Darius Garland duo.

Cleveland acquired Mitchell in a blockbuster trade with the Utah Jazz in September 2022 and hoped he would form a lethal tandem with Garland.

While the Cavs have certainly been a lot better since landing Mitchell, they haven’t lived up to expectations.

The Cavaliers won 51 games during the 2022-23 season but were bounced out of the first round by the New York Knicks. Then, Cleveland went 48-34 this season and defeated the Orlando Magic in a tight seven-game series before bowing out to the Boston Celtics.

There’s no shame in losing to the Celtics, who won 64 games during the regular season and cruised through the playoffs en route to an NBA championship. But it was the Cavs’ somewhat mediocre performance throughout the year that left many wondering whether the Cavaliers should break up their core (namely, whether they should move Garland).

The funny thing is that we heard the same thing about Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown in Boston in recent years. Now look at them.

I’m not saying the Mitchell-Garland combination is as good as what the Celtics have in Beantown. However, the C’s should serve as a warning to any NBA ball club considering breaking up a talented young duo in the genesis of their relationship.

Mitchell averaged just 26.6 points per game in his career alongside Garland. His true-shooting percentage in each of the past two seasons was better than anything he posted at Utah. He also registered a lifetime-best 6.1 assists per night this year.

Garland’s numbers have certainly dropped, especially this season when he scored 18 points per game on 44.6/37.1/83.4 shooting splits. That was good for a rather autonomous true-shooting rate of 56 percent. That said, the 2022-2023 campaign represented the most efficient season of Garland’s NBA tenure, so his production certainly hasn’t suffered. at played a lot with Mitchell.

If anything, the Cavaliers should be more concerned about Garland’s tendency to get injured, as he has played just 57 games this year and has never appeared in 70 games in any season since entering the league in 2019 . That is actually a legitimate reason to consider trading with him. But to move him because of his so-called “bad chemistry” with Mitchell? Are way too early for that.

The fact is, Cleveland has a pair of very gifted young scorers who are actually both underrated playmakers. And while neither Mitchell nor Garland will make an All-Defensive team, they aren’t bad defenders when locked up either.

There are plenty of clubs in the NBA that would love to be in the Cavs’ position. Finding guys like Mitchell and Garland isn’t easy. Do they have their warts? Sure, but it would be hard to find a better situation realistic one – for the Cavaliers right now.

Mitchell appears poised to sign an extension with Cleveland relatively soon, and Garland is already under contract through 2028. The Cavs should keep this up for at least another year. If no progress is made or the Cavaliers actually regress next season, we might take another look at this.

But for now? I will fully support Cleveland keeping Mitchell and Garland together heading into the 2024-2025 campaign.

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