After the LA Clippers lost five first-round picks in the punishment cap circumvention investigation involving the organization and Kawhi Leonard, they desperately need a solution to get their future back on the right track. One of the most realistic avenues the Clippers’ front office may take to do so is placing arguably their most valuable asset, Darius Garland, on the trade block.
This decision wouldn't be made because the Clippers want to, but because they have to, as, outside Keaton Wagler, Garland could bring back the most draft capital to the team.
In the same breath, just by looking at the league as a whole, there are a ton of teams that could use a player like Garland, who has yet to begin the prime of his career, is extremely talented on the offensive side of the ball, and has a strong track record of performing at the highest level dating all the way back to when he first entered the NBA.
Darius Garland would bring back the return the Clippers need
On paper, Darius Garland is a player of high value. At just 26 years old, Garland has two All-Star appearances on his resume, has proven he can be the second option on a playoff-contending team throughout his time spent with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and is the definition of a true floor general.
Last season, for the LA Clippers, Garland played 19 games and posted 19.9 points, 6.4 assists, and 2.3 rebounds, shooting 47.1% from the field and 43.8% from beyond the arc on a ridiculous 7.6 attempts per game. Those numbers display just about everything you’d like to see from a young offensive machine.
The Clippers know how talented he is, which is why they dealt James Harden for him at the February 2026 deadline, and they won’t want to trade him, at least for the foreseeable future. Garland is truly someone LA views as a franchise building block alongside Keaton Wagler.
Unfortunately, the Clippers need draft capital as bad as anyone in the NBA. When taking everything into account about Garland, it’s easy to see how he could net the organization a combination of picks.
That said, the punishment the Clippers took for cap circumvention may have the front office feeling like they need to part ways with Garland. And, as much pain as it might bring to send him away, this is one of the only ways to gain some picks back.
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