They’re too small. That’s the line everyone loves to repeat. You’ve heard it, I’ve heard it, and honestly, the Cleveland Cavaliers front office has probably heard it in their sleep for the last three years. When you start two guys who both stand 6’1”, you’re basically daring every oversized wing in the NBA to post them up.
But here we are in January 2026, and the Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland experiment is still the heartbeat of Ohio hoops. It hasn’t been a perfect ride—far from it. We’ve seen the 15-0 start to the 2024-25 season that felt like a fever dream, and we’ve seen the post-Christmas slumps where the chemistry looked about as stable as a Jenga tower in a hurricane.
People want to trade Garland for a "true wing" or a defensive stopper like Jrue Holiday every time the Cavs lose two games in a row. But if you actually watch the games, you see a nuance that the trade machine addicts usually miss.
The Chemistry Problem That Wasn't
Back in the summer of 2024, the vibes were weird. Garland was coming off a brutal year where he literally had his jaw wired shut—imagine trying to keep your weight up on a liquid diet while playing professional basketball—and rumors were flying that his camp wanted him out if Mitchell resigned.
Then Kenny Atkinson showed up. He didn't just talk about "spacing"; he hopped on a plane to Tennessee to meet Garland immediately. He treated him like a cornerstone, not a sidekick.
What most people get wrong about Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland is the idea that they "take turns" playing basketball. Under Atkinson, the Cavs shifted to a more free-flowing, egalitarian system. It’s not "your turn, my turn" anymore. It’s more like a coordinated attack where Garland acts as the "brain"—the pace-setter who gets everyone into their spots—while Mitchell is the "closer" who can manufacture a bucket out of thin air when the shot clock is screaming.
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What the Numbers Actually Say
Let’s look at the cold, hard reality of the 2025-26 season so far. The Cavs are sitting around 20-17 as of early January. Not the world-beaters they were a year ago, but still a lock for the postseason.
When you look at the advanced data, the "fit" issue starts to look like a myth.
- Offensive Rating: With Garland on the floor, the Cavs' offense has touched the 99th percentile (around 131.3). Without him? It cratered to the 42nd percentile.
- Net Rating: Historically, lineups featuring both Mitchell and Garland have posted net ratings north of +5.0. In their best stretches, that number has jumped to +8.9.
- Mitchell's Efficiency: Donovan is currently putting up about 29.8 points per game on a ridiculous 63% true shooting percentage. That doesn't happen if his backcourt partner is "clogging" things up.
The real issue isn’t that they can’t play together. It’s that when one of them is off—or worse, injured—the whole ecosystem changes. Garland’s recent toe sprain and Mitchell’s need for "rest" days have made the rotation look a bit thin. When they’re both healthy, they’re the best backcourt in the Eastern Conference. Period.
The Defensive Elephant in the Room
Okay, let’s talk about the defense. You can’t hide two 6’1” guards forever.
Earlier in their partnership, teams would just hunt Garland in the pick-and-roll. It was painful to watch. But Mitchell has actually stepped up his defensive engagement since arriving in Cleveland. He uses that freakish 6’10” wingspan to disrupt passing lanes—averaging about 1.5 steals per game.
Plus, having Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen behind them is the ultimate safety net. It’s like having two elite insurance policies. Mitchell and Garland can afford to be aggressive on the perimeter because they know if they get beat, there’s a seven-footer waiting to erase the mistake.
The Trade Rumors (and LeBron)
Because it’s 2026 and we’re talking about Cleveland, the LeBron James rumors never truly die. There’s been talk about the Cavs "clearing a path" to sign an aging LeBron by moving Garland’s $40M+ salary.
Rival executives are constantly poking around, seeing if the Cavs will finally blink and move Garland to a team like the Spurs or the Nets. But the front office has been rebuffing those calls. They know that finding a playmaker with Garland's vision—he’s still a 7-8 assist per game guy—is nearly impossible.
Actionable Insights for the Cavs
If Cleveland wants to move from "good playoff team" to "legit title contender" with this duo, three things have to happen:
- Staggering is Key: Atkinson has to continue staggering their minutes so at least one elite creator is on the floor at all times. The "Lonzo Ball as a backup" experiment is interesting, but Mitchell needs to be the primary guy when Garland sits.
- The Third Option: Evan Mobley has to become a consistent 20-point threat. If defenses can just focus on the two guards, the playoffs will be a repeat of the Celtics series exit.
- Health over Seed: The Cavs need to stop chasing the #1 seed at the expense of Garland’s legs. A healthy, explosive Garland in May is worth way more than home-court advantage in April.
The Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland pairing isn't a mistake—it's a luxury. Most teams would kill for one All-Star guard. Cleveland has two who actually like each other. That’s enough to keep the window open for a long time.
Keep an eye on the February trade deadline. If the Cavs stay quiet, it’s a massive vote of confidence that this backcourt is the one they're riding with until the wheels fall off.