NBA Trade Rumors: Teams prefer Darius Garland over Trae Young

The 2023-24 season is over for all but seven teams, which means 23 franchises are preparing for free agency, the draft and Trade Szn. Start spinning that NBA trade rumor mill.

Several big names have been mentioned as potential movers this summer, from Donovan Mitchell to Jimmy Butler to Paul George.

Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young has reportedly been on the market since the February trade deadline. His fit with fellow backcourt star Dejounte Murray has been awkward at best, and with the team landing the No. 1 selection in the 2024 NBA Draft, most signs point to Atlanta moving on from one of them.

The long-held belief around the league is that the Hawks would prefer to trade Young; however, other teams appear hesitant to acquire the three-time All-Star because of his ball dominance, size and lack of defense.

Another guard could be hitting the trade market this summer according to recent reports, and despite Young’s far more impressive accolades, he’s also viewed by some around the league as preferable to the Hawks’ star.

NBA trade rumors: Darius Garland more desirable than Trae Young

Per Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports (h/t HoopsHype), if Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland becomes available, NBA teams would rather make a move for him than for Young.

Garland’s obtainability depends on what happens with his backcourt mate. If Mitchell opts out of his player option for the 2025-26 season – as expected – but chooses to sign a long-term deal and stay in Cleveland, then the 24-year-old Garland could request that the Cavs find him a new home.

If this is how the scenario shakes out, Fischer claims teams would be queuing up to make a deal for Cleveland’s unhappy guard rather than Young.

It’s been quite a quick fall from grace for a player who was First-Team All-Rookie in 2019 and has gone on to make three All-Star teams and one All-NBA team in his six seasons in the league.

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