This past NBA trade deadline was a late bloomer. Many last-minute moves took place with short notice, ahead of the February 5th deadline.
The James Harden trade to the Cleveland Cavaliers was one such move. However, it was also one that left many confused. Darius Garland is one of the NBA’s best young guards, a homegrown talent in Cleveland, whose performance was hindered due to recent injuries. Harden, on the other hand, is a seasoned veteran at the tail end of his prime. Many fans had their qualms about Harden’s questionable defense and his ability to fit in with the offensively established Cavs roster. However, ever since joining the team, Cleveland is 5-1 thus far with Harden, losing only to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
On the other hand, Garland is looking at the bright side of a fresh start with a new franchise.
Darius Garland Is Looking at the Bright Side Post-Trade
“No hard feelings”
Garland told Andscape’s Marc Spears he was “kind of skeptical” about the whole trade. However, he knew that playing with another Hall of Fame player, Kawhi Leonard, was an opportunity he couldn’t turn down.
Garland will likely have a bigger offensive role with the Los Angeles Clippers compared to what he had with the Cavs. And indeed, he will have a massive hole to fill. Before being traded, Harden was the Clippers’ primary scorer when Leonard was off the floor.
The Clippers’ depth at the center position is shallow at best. The Inglewood-based team only has two listed centers. One is an aging Brook Lopez, playing 30 minutes a night. The other is rookie center Yanic Konan Niederhauser, showing a lot of promise as an athletic big man who can protect the rim. Other players who could play the five include John Collins, recently injured in a game against the Los Angeles Lakers. Reserve forward Isaiah Jackson has only played nine total minutes for the Clippers since being traded.
This lack of depth may potentially affect Garland’s pick-and-roll-heavy style of play once he returns from his toe injury.
“I’m super excited about L.A. life”
Garland said he is fairly accustomed to Los Angeles. His agent, Rich Paul, and agency, Klutch Sports, are based there, which has led him to spend significant portions of his offseason in LA. Winston Garland, Darius’s father, is a former Clipper, playing for the team from 1989 to 1991.
“I already know the layout of the land. I’ve been here for a couple years in the summertime. So, I’m pretty used to seeing a lot of faces, and I’ve connected with a couple people. I’m excited being in a big market. And just being in L.A. playing for the Clippers is one thing. So, I’m super excited for it.”
Garland believes that his toe injuries played a huge role in him getting traded to the Clippers. According to the two-time NBA All-Star, he had discussions with Paul over the past summer as to whether he would get traded or not. He also has praise to give to Harden and his potential role with the Cavaliers.
“But they thought that James had something that I didn’t, I believe. He has experience in playoffs and All-Star numbers still to this day, even though he wasn’t an All-Star this year. But yeah, they want to win right now. They have a group, too. And I guess I really wasn’t part of the plan.”
Garland had nothing but respect for the Cavaliers franchise and his time with the organization, which “invested a lot” in him.
“I tip my hat off to the whole Cleveland organization. They did put a lot in me, invested a lot in me and took a lot of risk. So, I tip my hat off to them.”
Garland concluded by saying he’s in another “good situation” in LA, and that he would try to “rebuild this whole brand of the Clippers” to make it one of the biggest teams in Los Angeles.
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