Former NBA exec warns to keep eye on possible Darius Garland-Victor Wembanyama pairing

With rookie phenom Victor Wembanyama living up to the hype for the San Antonio Spurs in his debut season, his team may look to be aggressive this summer in getting him some roster help.

Many feel that the team should prioritize getting Wembanyama some help at the point guard position, and the idea of the Spurs going after Cleveland Cavaliers star Darius Garland is now getting some attention from a former league executive.

“I am not emptying the basket of draft assets for Trae Young,” wrote former executive Bobby Marks. “I agree, Garland is a better fit and I would keep an eye on the Cavaliers if they exit in the first round again.”

The Cavs have had to deal with a lot of chatter related to the future of their core, but it has usually centered around star guard Donovan Mitchell, who some see as a possible flight risk. In this case, however, it appears Marks is interested by the idea of Garland being moved.

Garland, a one-time All-Star, isn’t having his strongest season, but he has still been productive for the Cavs. The 24-year-old is averaging 18.1 points, 6.6 assists and 2.7 rebounds per game while shooting 44.5 percent from the field and 36.5 percent from deep.

His ability to playmake and space the floor (last season, he averaged 7.8 assists per game and made 41.0 percent of his 3s) makes him a strong potential fit alongside Wembanyama.

The Spurs rookie this season is averaging 21.3 points, 10.6 rebounds and 3.8 assists per contest while shooting 46.5 percent from the field and 32.2 percent from deep. He is also averaging a league-best 3.6 blocks per game, one indication of his defensive impact.

San Antonio may quickly become an appealing landing spot for players around the league as Wembanyama continues to grow, so the team will be worth monitoring throughout the upcoming 0ffseason. In Garland’s case, however, he may want to stick with the Cavs, the team he has spent his entire NBA career with.

Garland is under contract until the 2028 offseason, and he has had a major hand in Cleveland’s resurgence in the Eastern Conference in recent years.

The challenge for the Cavs has been postseason success, a trend the team will look to kill when the 2024 NBA Playoffs arrive. If Marks’ words are any indication, the way Cleveland’s postseason unfolds could have ramifications around the league.