Many have pointed out how the Timberwolves’ point guard situation can be one that ultimately keeps them from reaching the heights they wish to. Mike Conley is turning 38 years old on October 11 and is coming off a career-low season in scoring. Rob Dillingham never quite looked ready as a rookie and hasn’t shown much growth in the first two preseason outings.
Now, Bones Hyland has looked super confident in the first two preseason games, particularly on the offensive end, but he has been an inefficient scorer with defensive liabilities throughout his career. The lead guard position conundrum could rear its ugly head early on in the 2025-26 season for Minnesota, where a trade may be necessary to turn a flaw into a strength. Could the Cavaliers’ Darius Garland be someone that the Timberwolves look to acquire?
Darius Garland could be an ambitious trade target for the Timberwolves
On Tuesday, Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report posted an article where he named anambitious trade target for every team during the 2025-26 season. When he got to the Timberwolves, Swartz named Garland.
Now 25 years old, Garland has played six seasons since being selected fifth overall in the 2019 NBA Draft. Listed at 6-foot-1, he was named an All-Star last season and in 2021-22.
In three of the last four seasons, Garland has averaged at least 20.6 points and 6.7 assists. In 2024-25, he connected on 40.1% of his three-point tries. That was the second time in his career that he made more than 40%, and Garland is a career 38.8% three-point shooter.
I don’t think anyone could question that even Garland’s floor for 2025-26 is better than the ceiling of any of the point guards that the Timberwolves roster. Adding him would instantly put Minnesota in the running for best starting backcourt in the NBA, with Garland teaming alongside Anthony Edwards.
Cleveland trading him this season probably isn't all that likely
Is it likely that Cleveland trades Garland? Probably not. It has been talked about ad nauseam how the East is compromised this season, and many believe that the Cavaliers or Knicks will be the team to reach the NBA finals.
Still, Cleveland is a very expensive team. Evan Mobley’s max rookie scale extension begins this season. Donovan Mitchell is once again going to command a lot of money when his contract is up after 2026-27 (player option in 2027-28).
The Cavaliers haven’t had the level of playoff success that they have had in the regular season in recent years, and Garland also hasn’t been at his best. He missed four of their nine postseason games last season with a toe injury, one that is expected to sideline him to begin the regular season.
Maybe if Cleveland gets off to an excellent start without him, they will deem Garland expendable. It was questioned whether a small backcourt of Mitchell and Garland could work when they first joined forces. While it hasn’t been much of an issue in the regular season, it has been more noticeable at times in the playoffs.
Even if Garland never becomes available, Timberwolves fans will be interested all season if the team is looking to upgrade at point guard if their current options seem to be holding the team back.