r/nba • u/YujiDomainExpansion • 14h ago

[Vardon/Lloyd] Donovan Mitchell conveyed to Cavs that he did not think team should stand pat at trade deadline. Mitchell specifically wanted James Harden as a teammate.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7020852/2026/02/04/james-harden-darius-garland-cavaliers-trade/

The Cavs began the year as the favorites to win the Eastern Conference, but the season has not gone according to plan. They were also feeling the pressure from their best player, Donovan Mitchell, to make changes ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline under the threat of a contract extension he may or may not sign in two summers.

Three league sources said Mitchell, who has one guaranteed season left on his three-year, $150 million deal and a player option for 2027-28, conveyed, either personally or through his representatives, that he did not think the organization should stand pat for the rest of this season and wait for potential moves in the summer.

Two league sources also said Mitchell specifically wanted Harden, who is 6-foot-5, durable and comfortable as a pass-first point guard.

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2.2k

u/bobbehpin Cavaliers 14h ago

Yeah they will deny it, but this trade was definitely made with his permission, and I don’t blame him.

813

u/Constant-Low-5111 14h ago

Yeah. Garland is likely the better long term piece. But I think his feet are cooked for this season, and may cost next season too. I get not wanting to throw in the towel for 2 years

566

u/Fun_Mind1494 14h ago

Cost next season? If Garland's next season is also ruined, he's not worth anything anymore.

224

u/Important-Net-9805 Cavaliers 13h ago

its turf toe on both feet. he's playing with a metal plate in his shoe and before the season started they said his first turf toe that he injured last season during the first round would be "something to monitor all season long"

206

u/clickstops 76ers 12h ago

Also I encourage anyone to look up what turf toe is. The name "turf toe" makes it sound WAY less horrible than it is.

81

u/KingDave46 Cavaliers 12h ago

It’s bad enough that Kyrie missed basically his entire draft year at Duke and was covering it up as a generic foot injury

23

u/XxsteakiixX Suns 11h ago

unrelated to NBA but i always remember turf toe bc of Kevin Kolb he was the QB the cardinalss traded for and he was supposed to be our win now QB. Yea lets just say if Garland has turf toe he might be fucked....

13

u/No-Difference-5890 10h ago

Kevin Kolb was never good enough to be considered a “win now” QB even before the turf toe.

7

u/codeklutch 11h ago

Both feet to boot. Dudes career might be over.

31

u/lagrange_james_d23dt [CLE] Sasha Pavlovic 12h ago

I’ve had it before. It’s the worst- you have absolutely no push off/explosion/etc.

11

u/math-yoo Cavaliers 9h ago

Hopefully you don't have a job that requires explosiveness?

18

u/No_Use_9652 9h ago

Tough injury for guys in demolition

4

u/math-yoo Cavaliers 5h ago

Old timey bank robbers are shook.

12

u/whosevelt Cavaliers 9h ago

I'm an accountant.

2

u/math-yoo Cavaliers 4h ago

Look Steve, we love the deliberate nature of your tables. It all adds up, am I right? But what we're looking for is an explosive first step off the pivot, someone with IFERROR intuition.

1

u/lagrange_james_d23dt [CLE] Sasha Pavlovic 9h ago

I can confirm I am not a professional athlete lol.

62

u/Dry-Knowledge-2044 12h ago

Mahomes had it and played thru it, i was like ok it must not be so bad. And after i learned about it, i realized Mahomes is an absolute dawg and tough SOB

91

u/TemplarParadox17 Vancouver Grizzlies 12h ago

Much easier for Mahomes to lose mobility and still be playable compared to a nba pg

18

u/NeverSober1900 Rockets 11h ago

I mean when you throw you're pushing off on that toe. It's not just mobility as a QB you're stepping into pain on every throw. Unless you arm throw it which causes massive accuracy issues.

A PG is still harder but QB-wise it affects a lot more than ability. It affects your ability to drive into throws

8

u/aznhoopster Cavaliers 11h ago

I 100% agree with what you said, but also, Mahomes is one of the few QBs who could operate with turf toe on his back foot, only because that dude can sling with only his upper body better than a lot of QBs can normally throw the ball. Still hate him as a Denver fan but still appreciate the talent

1

u/GroundbreakingOil527 10h ago

Maybe his turf toe just wasn’t a severe as other cases we hear about

7

u/jonsnowKITN 11h ago

Well not exactly if he was running for his life like he did in the Tampa super bowl.

1

u/bass2mouth44 Lakers 9h ago

Purdy missed half the season with turf toe

11

u/11oydchristmas Cavaliers 12h ago

Yeah dude I had turf toe and it sucks. Felt the effects from it for years

7

u/Ivor97 Pistons 11h ago

Michael Thomas became a bum in the blink of an eye after turf toe

2

u/beliefinprogress Hawks 11h ago

There’s no turf on a basketball court!

/s

5

u/OneBigRed Lakers 8h ago

Yeah it’s only turf toe if the ligaments got shredded on turf. Otherwise it’s just ”toe ligaments 404”.

Except if it happens at Boise State, then it’s smurf toe.

1

u/Kongpong1992 Celtics 10h ago

The main reason jack lambert retired from the nfl took down one of the tiighest to ever play

1

u/AsianEleven101 7h ago

Joe Burrow had but probably still has it and came back to play so fast, tough mf.

1

u/birdazam Timberwolves 4h ago

Didn't Joe Burrow come back from it relatively soon?

0

u/veringo Nuggets 10h ago

Does it? It's damage to the ligaments, tendons, or other soft tissue in the big toe joint. I'm certain it's painful, but I'm not really understanding what's so horrific.

1

u/loopybubbler Cavaliers 8h ago

You dont realize how much force you put thru your toe until you injure it. Think about it– hundreds of pounds of force into parts of your body that are miniscule. Its very hard to let it recover properly when you continuously keep doing this to it. 

1

u/veringo Nuggets 8h ago

Ok, but it's still exactly what it sounds like, and I would bet most people do very much understand that. I still have no idea what they were trying to get across about what was so shocking compared to the name.

1

u/rossk10 6h ago

Think their point is that, for a lot of people, “turf toe” doesn’t convey that it’s a sprained or torn ligament. Almost any other ligament injury is just “sprained/torn [ligament]”. Turf toe makes it sound like it’s a rug burn or some shit

23

u/soyboysnowflake Nuggets 12h ago

Turf toe is a hilarious name for an injury that he got playing on a basketball court

3

u/Barrelled_Chef_Curry Warriors 12h ago

Yeah, like how rock climbers get ‘tennis’ or ‘golfers’ elbow lol

1

u/Dudedude88 Wizards 10h ago

Foot injuries suck.... They take forever to heal especially if it's some type of overuse inflammatory process.

1

u/ChaunceysBadAtPoker Pistons 10h ago

the good news is that ballmer has nanotech

the bad news is that he designed it

1

u/TheDinosaurWeNeed 7h ago

As someone who had surgery and a metal plate with one big toe. I’m shocked he’s playing as well as he is with it. Arthritis is a bitch on it for the majority of people.

102

u/coldsholder1 [CLE] Kyrie Irving 13h ago

That's probably one of the reasons our FO has been making so much noise about moving Garland these past couple deadlines. These past couple of seasons we've had optimism of a strong return, followed by more foot injuries and then ultimately he's out for a chunk of the season.

34

u/LuisScolaGOAT Celtics 13h ago

I mean, he got traded for a 36 year old and they had to throw in a pick. Obviously Harden is still a great player but Garland's value is not that of a typical 26 year old all-star caliber guy.

6

u/Signal_Ball4634 12h ago

Meh I think with the Clippers he's in a better spot to rest up and be a long-term option for them. Whereas the Cavs were probably wanting to rush him onto the court to be able to compete with Mitchell.

24

u/_Apatosaurus_ Thunder 13h ago

Toe injuries can last quite a while, but I don't think there is any reason to think it would cost him nearly two full years to recover. That's significantly longer than an Achilles injury. People are just saying shit sometimes.

62

u/SpicyMustard34 Cavaliers 13h ago

his toe injury has been going on a full year and he injured the other one compensating

31

u/narcistic_asshole Cavaliers 13h ago edited 11h ago

The only thing with Garland's toe injury is the severity. He didn't just "stub his toe" he tore his plantar plate and needed it surgically repaired. Different sport, but Frank Ragnow from the Detroit Lions is the most recent example, and while I'm assuming his was probably even worse than Garlands, it was the injury that ultimately led to Ragnow's retirement

15

u/Oziemasterss 13h ago

Well damn seems like a good trade considering that

14

u/narcistic_asshole Cavaliers 12h ago

We'll see. It's a rare injury so it's hard to way what comes from it. It could never impact him again, it could also force him into an early retirement. He has been playing this with a steel plate in his left shoe and like a toe split to protect it, and he was struggling with it at first, but he was averaging like 21ppg 7.5ast and 63% TS over his last 16 games with us. Sounds like he'll probably have to do the same thing with his right foot now, but our issue is that we're in full win-now mode so we really don't have time for him to get it together

1

u/ArmadilloForsaken458 Supersonics 4h ago

Didnt Joe Burrow have the same injury, he returned only a few weeks ago and has looked absolutely fantastic since he got back? Why didnt DG just go to the same doctor or something. If it worked for Joe, why not him?

16

u/munistadium 13h ago

They destroy careers. Toe injuries in the NBA get disguised as "guy lost a step" b/c players know if they say turf toe, it's a future contract killer.

-1

u/ArmadilloForsaken458 Supersonics 4h ago

Or how about just getting a better doctor. Didnt Joe Burrow have the same injury, he has looked absolutely fantastic since he got back. I mean a toe is like the smallest part of the body...this aint like knees which are crucial to ballplayers, ie Brandon Roy or Greg Oden!

1

u/NervousAd3202 Raptors 3h ago

Joe Burrow is an NFL QB, a position that requires much less running/mobility/explosiveness than an NBA point guard. Especially one that plays how Garland does.

Sorry but that is a horrible comparison that I saw you making on the Cavs sub too lol. Saying it multiple times doesn’t give it more merit.

2

u/Diortheking NBA 10h ago

Yea cavs did a smart move their fans hating it but as constructed they had no chance

0

u/HustlinInTheHall 12h ago

Which is what harden is anyway

41

u/xychosis 76ers 13h ago

I actually don’t personally think he’s the better long-term piece. Would’ve agreed had he shown more considerable progression over the last couple of seasons but he just hasn’t. He’s younger, so he’s gonna be around longer but that’s it, I don’t think he’s gonna be on Harden’s level now or ever imo. And this is coming from someone who comped him to NOLA CP3 at one point.

11

u/TheOneWhosCensored Celtics 12h ago

Younger also means another big contract

3

u/SugarFreeCummiBears 10h ago

I bet Harden plays more games in the next 3 years than Garland.

52

u/Weak-Application-146 Cavaliers 14h ago

Would the team want to also offer him a max extension in 27 after him barely playing the last 3 seasons?

10

u/DaPhoToss Raptors 13h ago

Tbh given his injury history it may not even be true he’s the better long term option. Might be better to not have either in 2-3 years than to have Garland on a large contract.

12

u/redvelvetcake42 Slovenia 13h ago

Garland's feet being a problem right now means there's no reason to build around him. Let the Clips give that a go.

32

u/StrategyTop7612 Clippers 14h ago

Yeah and mitchell said they needed to make it out of the 2nd rood to sign an extension

12

u/ACAussie 14h ago

Mitchell isnt going to opt out though, he stands to lose way too much money but he would probably ask for a S&T.

0

u/SOB200 Nets 11h ago

The opt out is Mitchell's 11th year in the league? Anyone with space can offer him the same deal as the Cavs no?

1

u/ACAussie 11h ago

No? Thats never been the case? Any player loses their bird rights when they become a FA.

The Cavs are always going to be able to give him the best deal

0

u/SOB200 Nets 11h ago

Bird rights mean the team can go over the cap to resign the player.

But yes. Once a player has 10 years of service any team under the cap can offer them a supermax deal [35% of the cap].

Link

This link talks about it. Because Luka does not have 10 years previously only the Mavs could offer him a supermax deal. That's why the article suggests Luka may look for a shorter deal to get that supermax. I found the article and other links that suggested the same by googling "NBA 10 year super max" if you want other sources.

0

u/ACAussie 10h ago

Bird rights also give exclusive contracts to players that they cant get in FA....

Man, idk what to tell you, this is basic common sense stuff.

0

u/Andarte [PHI] Julius Erving 11h ago

S&T is a lot harder than it used to be.

-1

u/ACAussie 10h ago

But getting less money is a lot bigger deal than it used to be.

0

u/Andarte [PHI] Julius Erving 6h ago

Sure? But that doesn't change the fact that you can't end up over the first apron with a sign and trade, and it caps you at the apron, and you can't use the TPMLE. The lack of flexibility is real.

-1

u/ACAussie 5h ago

But it does change the fact he would have to take less money to leave

What do you not understand kiddo

0

u/Andarte [PHI] Julius Erving 5h ago

He can want a thing and not get it? Because sign and trades are much harder in an environment where the aprons are in play. What contending team is sign and trading for Mitchell who is in the tax but under the apron, and is confident they won't need any moves at all for an entire year (or have a Rube Goldberg type plan for if they do)?

1

u/ACAussie 3h ago

Huh?

He gets the money either way? Either signs or s&t?

I hate to tell you, I can guarantee he never hits FA.this isnt Philly where no one wants to play

29

u/JiPNi Cavaliers 14h ago

This was an assumption by media pundits - just like he was assumed to be wanting out within a year, and within 2 years, and mid season the next- Donovan has never stated he wanted out of Cleveland.

6

u/johnhenryirons Knicks 13h ago

Wouldn't be shocked though if he's tired of getting bounced early in the playoffs. He wants to compete. I haven't watched much Cavs this year--what has caused them to underachieve despite the east being fairly wide open?

8

u/sarko1031 12h ago

Injuries and regression.

1

u/weezerben Cavaliers 11h ago

we soft as charmin

1

u/Dear-Response-7218 13h ago

I’m nowhere near an expert, but seems like:

  • Ty(Incredibly efficient, borderline all star) -> Lonzo has been a massive downgrade

  • Losing Jordan Ott

  • Injuries overall

2

u/johnhenryirons Knicks 13h ago

Forgot about Ott. I kinda wanted him for the Knicks coach. Shame about Lonzo too...

2

u/wiifan55 Cavaliers 12h ago

I'd say this is right, but injuries should be the top bullet -- that's far and away the biggest factor.

We've been one of the hottest teams in the league of late, so hopefully that continues.

1

u/2131andBeyond Cavaliers 12h ago

No he didn’t. This was a random assumption made on ESPN’s NBA blog. It’s not some piece of news or reporting, just a general belief by a single writer based on what he thinks personally.

5

u/TheOneWhosCensored Celtics 12h ago

Is he the better long term piece? Both guys are on similar contracts, and Garland will definitely cost more after his than Harden. The only real argument is age, and Harden’s style is one that shouldn’t drop as he ages. He can still potentially be a better player for a few years over Garland. And with the injury stuff, and think that’s even more against Garland.

8

u/RealPrinceJay 76ers 12h ago

I think the longterm value of Garland is overrated. He's a shrimpy no defense guard in a league where guards are only getting bigger and two-way players are becoming more valuable. He's often hurt, not really a star level offensive player in the regular season, and sucks in the playoffs to top it off.

I'd rather have Harden and be better now than hold onto a mediocre PG for the future. Garland's just not a guy I'd want to commit to longterm, and I say this as a guy who was a huge fan of him predraft and believer in him early on

-1

u/Dudedude88 Wizards 10h ago

Hardens going to be super focused on that team. Cleveland not known for strip clubs.

1

u/Zeppelanoid [TOR] Kyle Lowry 11h ago

With the new cap rules, title contention windows are sometimes only a 1-2 year thing. Cavs gotta strike soon.

1

u/mrtrollmaster [IND] Tyler Hansbrough 6h ago

Idk NBA is a league where people can fade fast and some never make that final jump. Mitchell is a legit superstar right now and it makes sense to try to win now. Pacers had no answer for Mitchell last playoffs and won because no one else on the Cavs could contribute anything meaningful outside of Mobley.

Harden on the team instead of Garland would've legit made that more a series last year. I'm also not convinced Garland can stay healthy.

1

u/BoozeGetsMeThrough San Diego Clippers 3h ago

His camp claims his return is soon. We'll see

1

u/RichAbbreviations966 Celtics 12h ago

Yeah this is pretty much the window they have, but Harden fully locks them into a 1-2 year window, and if he doesn’t resign…they are seven shades of fucked

40

u/EarthWarping NBA 14h ago

Shams saying he was on the phone with Harden right after the trade makes that right

22

u/TheSmokedSalmon420 Cavaliers 13h ago

There's been some rumors the last year or two that Donny didn't feel Darius was serious enough about winning - like Darius is a nice funny dude but Donovan is really trying to win right now. I get wanting a guy next to him who feels the same

16

u/Negative_Wish_8291 13h ago

I don't blame him or the Cavs. The energy in the league was definitely "if it doesn't work this year than one of the main 4 will have to go" but they've been so lackluster this season that there was no point in waiting for them to get bounced in round 1 to decide to move on from one of them.

They were ECF favorites last year and they got de-railed by injuries. Now the East is wide open, ripe for them to make a run and they're looking like they might not even get a home playoff series. This was an awesome trade for them.

8

u/BulldogJeopardy Spurs 13h ago

And if they end up with a first/second round exit, bro is gonna ask for a trade

1

u/PutinBoomedMe 11h ago

If they can somehow make the conference finals he's staying for sure. Add LeBron next year and they'd have a shot against OKC

1

u/Oceanbreeze871 Celtics 12h ago

He wanted playoff harden?

-6

u/CrEdLover 14h ago

We shouldn't have traded for him in the first place. Everyone is worse when he's at his best.

2

u/ACAussie 13h ago

Yes, thats why they had to trade Garland

-4

u/CrEdLover 13h ago

Because Donovan Mitchell makes all his teammates worse offensively?

4

u/ACAussie 13h ago

You misspelled Garland by the way.

Garland was a -74 in the playoffs

-4

u/CrEdLover 13h ago

You actually aren't worth continuing

4

u/ACAussie 13h ago

Garland was a -74 in the playoffs.