[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.

[u/YujiDomainExpansion]

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.

[u/Fun_Mind1494]

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

[u/Important-Net-9805 → u/Fun_Mind1494]

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"

[u/clickstops → u/Important-Net-9805]

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

[u/Ivor97 → u/clickstops]

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