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NBA Trade Idea Sends Cavs' Darius Garland to Nets

The Brooklyn Nets could get in on a blockbuster trade this summer with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Jeremy Brener|
Mar 10, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) dribbles beside Brooklyn Nets guard Dennis Smith Jr. (4) in the third quarter at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 10, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) dribbles beside Brooklyn Nets guard Dennis Smith Jr. (4) in the third quarter at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports | David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

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Brooklyn NetsCleveland Cavaliers

The Brooklyn Nets have some cards to work with this offseason, with Mikal Bridges at the top of the list.

Bridges will be thrown around in various trade scenarios all offseason long, including one with the Cleveland Cavaliers that would send Darius Garland to Brooklyn from Bleacher Report.

"The Nets already have an eye on Cleveland in case Donovan Mitchell decides he wants out, but they should consider eyeballing his backcourt mate, too. Garland might be an even better option for them since he's younger and under contract through 2027-28," Bleacher Report writes.

"It's probably going to take Brooklyn time to turn its trajectory around. Snagging a potential cornerstone like Garland to help set the long-term foundation could be hugely helpful for that—especially if, like here, he wouldn't cost a single draft pick to acquire."

Considering Bridges was the key player the Nets got in return for Kevin Durant, it's hard to see the Nets turn him into Garland just 1.5 years later. Bridges could command a little more for his services, including future draft capital, which the Nets need a lot of at this moment in time.

However, Garland would give the Nets a true facilitator, and he could shine as the top option in an offense, a luxury he doesn't currently have in Cleveland.

Garland averaged 18 points and 6.5 assists per game with the Cavs this season while shooting over 37 percent from beyond the 3-point line. Those numbers would grow if he became a No. 1 like he would in Brooklyn.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several On SI sites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid and resides in Central Florida. He graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener.

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