The Sacramento Kings have set their sights on Cleveland Cavaliers star Darius Garland as they look to upgrade their lead guard position this offseason, sources told RG.
While the Kings remain interested, recent discussions involving the Atlanta Hawks and their star Trae Young have stalled, leaving Sacramento to focus more on Garland as a realistic option. Hawks-Kings trade talks cooled after initial talks failed to progress.
After trading franchise guard De’Aaron Fox and firing coach Mike Brown, Sacramento is eager to reshape the roster under new head coach Doug Christie.
The Kings missed the playoffs again in 2025 after losing in the play-in tournament to the Dallas Mavericks, ending hopes for a postseason run.
Meanwhile, the Cavaliers have become more open to trade talks involving Garland, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported.
Although Cleveland was once firm on keeping Garland, the team’s salary cap situation has forced them to consider moving the 25-year-old guard under the right conditions.
The Cavaliers currently sit about $15 million over the luxury tax apron, pressuring management to find financial flexibility.
Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley remain untouchable assets, but Garland and Jarrett Allen are potential trade candidates if the deal improves Cleveland’s roster.
Garland, who has three years left on a five-year, $197 million contract, averaged 20.6 points and 6.7 assists last season while shooting 40.1% from three-point range.
Cleveland finished 64–18 in the regular season, earning the top seed in the Eastern Conference before falling to Indiana in five games in the second round.
