It’s no secret that this season was a pivotal one for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Given their multiple playoff failures, and the wide-open state of the Eastern Conference, the Cavs knew that this year was their chance to go for it.
Up until yesterday, Cleveland had shown undeniable loyalty to their core four of Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, Darius Garland, and Jarrett Allen. Now, that core four is no more, as Garland was traded for James Harden.
Harden and Garland is about as lateral of a swap as it gets in terms of playmaking, and given Garland’s health issues, the Cavs knew that they didn’t have the luxury of time when it came to waiting for his return to full health.