The Cleveland Cavaliers could consider moving Darius Garland or Jarrett Allen this summer due to salary cap challenges, according to Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor.
On the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, Fedor said the team views Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley as their “two untouchables” but might be open to discussing trades involving Garland or Allen.
Fedor noted the Cavaliers would only make a move if the return is a clear upgrade, not just to shed salary. “It’s got to be the right deal,” he said, via Bleacher Report, “something that moves the team forward rather than a lateral step or a step back.”
The Cavs are expected to be about $15 million over the NBA’s second salary cap apron next season, even after filling their roster with minimum contracts.
Garland, 25, is in the third year of a five-year, $197 million contract. During the 2024–25 season, he averaged 20.6 points, 6.7 assists, and nearly 3 rebounds per game, shooting 40.1% from three-point range.
Jarrett Allen, 27, is entering the fifth year of his current deal but recently signed a three-year, $90.7 million extension through 2029. Allen averaged 13.5 points and 9.7 rebounds per game while shooting over 70% from the field last season.
Despite their individual success, the Cavaliers face tough decisions to stay compliant with salary rules.
The Cavaliers finished the regular season as the top seed in the Eastern Conference with a 64–18 record. They swept the Miami Heat in the first round of the playoffs but lost in five games to the Indiana Pacers in the second round.
