"If LeBron is on the table": Cavaliers fans want Darius Garland to be used in potential LeBron James trade

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland has been one of the most common names that has emerged with respect to the trade rumors surrounding the organization. Especially when it comes to LeBron James.

With the Cavaliers knocked out 4-1 by the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals, the front office will already be looking at ways the roster can be improved.

With Donovan Mitchell likely to stay, Garland’s huge contract as well as the fact that the team already has a focal point guard to build around means that the player himself might be looking for a new setting. Fans, at the same time, also seem to agree, with a recent Reddit post shedding light on the kind of value that he can help the team acquire in return.

However, it inadvertently led to a number of fans hyping up a potential LeBron James return. A number of fans claimed that the Cavaliers should simply be focused on bringing their former King back, which is, according to rumors, set to also include a move for Bronny James.

[Sidery] Some teams have indicated they would prefer pursuing Darius Garland over Trae Young, per @JakeLFischer (podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/yah…). If Garland hits the trade market, dependent upon Donovan Mitchell’s decision, the Cavaliers could return serious value. byu/ToschePowerConverter inclevelandcavs

Quite a few fans quickly chalked up trade scenarios, with one claiming that a direct trade for Lebron James with Darius Garland would be a commendable move:

Comment byu/ToschePowerConverter from discussion inclevelandcavs

Another talked about how the prospective move would set up the team nicely, with both Mitchell and LeBron James on the roster:

Comment byu/ToschePowerConverter from discussion inclevelandcavs

Another talked about how James has previously, in collaboration with longterm agent and friend Rich Paul, pulled off such moves as well:

Comment byu/ToschePowerConverter from discussion inclevelandcavs

Another talked about how the process was already seemingly in motion, as the pieces were shaping up for a potential James’ return:

"This is looking more and more like chess pieces being moved for LeBron's return. I'm willing to bet on it. Wouldn't be surprised to see Garland, Allen and others in a three-team trade to get LeBron back in Cleveland. LeBron had dinner with Gilbert and they discussed his desire to retire as a Cavs and play with Bronny."

Needless to say, with a number of other fans also hyping up the potential scenario, there is little doubt that they are already excited about a potential LeBron James return.

LeBron James positioning himself for a Cleveland Cavaliers return?

While Cavaliers fans are seemingly dreaming already, there is nothing to suggest that James is actually looking to move anywhere, let alone his former team.

The 39-year-old has been heavily rumored to be willing to follow wherever Bronny James ends up at, following the conclusion of the upcoming 2024 NBA draft.

However, with the LA Lakers also reportedly open to drafting Bronny via their 17th pick, recent reports claim that LeBron will not be leaving the Lakers just so that he can play with his son.

According to Shams Charania, LeBron will be refusing a move simply because another team drafted Bronny:

"It would not surprise me in the coming weeks, if a team does reach out to Rich Paul or anyone else around Bronny James or LeBron James himself, and says, 'Hey if we draft Bronny James, would you come as well LeBron?' And the answer to that is going to be no, as of right now. That's not a given, that's not something that's going to be preordained."

Still, while a father-son duo on the same team might be a distant dream as things stand, stranger things have happened in the world of NBA off-seasons.