Cleveland's point guard is crucial to the Cavaliers.
Darius Garland is part of the engine that makes the Cleveland Cavaliers go.
Soon enough, it'll be time for him to be paid as such.
There are complications to any upcoming extension for Garland, though.
As of July 8, writes The Athletic's John Hollinger, Garland can sign a two-year deal worth up to $125 million.
But there's also a path where Garland chooses to wait to sign a new deal, too.
Here's how Hollinger explains it:
Garland is eligible to sign a two-year extension worth up to $125 million as of July 8, a deal that would take his tenure in Cleveland until 2030, when he would be 30. Unlike Dončić, Garland doesn’t have a player option on his current deal, so there are no wait-and-see elements to this particular extension. If he gets the 30 percent max on his next deal in 2028, whatever that total turns out to be will be a sharp rise from his $45 million salary in 2027-28.
As ever, devils will remain in the details. Would Garland rather wait another year and sign a three-year extension if he has a good year, including being eligible for a supermax at 35 percent of the cap if he makes an All-NBA team? Would the Cavs feel as comfortable going all-in a year longer into the future with a small guard, even if he plays well in 2025-26? Would Garland want a player option on the final year of a two-year extension, and would Cleveland rather do that than wait and be on the hook for a three-year deal later?
Ultimately, I think it makes some sense for both sides. On Garland’s end, he starts the clock for the next extension sooner, and the Cavs give themselves some protection from long-term downside just as their core is likely aging. But I can understand why both sides might prefer to wait a year.
MORE: Breaking down the Heat-Clippers-Jazz trade involving Norman Powell, John Collins
The Cavs are in a bit of a tricky money spot. Essentially, their best path forward is to retain all their current stars, because any moves outside the organization are severely limited by the NBA's cap rules.
So keeping Garland around and happy, whatever that looks like, seems to be the best strategy.
Maybe there's a playoff ceiling for a Garland and Donovan Mitchell backcourt, but they're currently approaching a new season as the clear favorite to win the most games in the Eastern Conference in the regular ceiling. The Cavs owe it to themselves to see how far this group can go, and Garland will be a big part of that plan.
MORE NBA NEWS:
- Bucks' new signing might change the hand he shoots with
- Jazz rookie Ace Bailey shows the good and the bad in his Summer League debut
- 76ers rookie VJ Edgecombe looks like the truth in his Summer League debut
- Bronny James throws down a dunk like his dad
- Jonathan Kuminga, Josh Giddey facing the same problem
- Lakers have a good Cole Swider problem on their hands
Category: Basketball
