The Cavaliers are led by Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen but moving Garland in a lateral move or upgrade could change the team identity. Cleveland has not reached the Conference Finals since the 2018-19 season and have bowed out in the first two rounds in three consecutive seasons.

The Cavaliers haven't advanced past the second round of the playoffs since acquiring Donovan Mitchell from the Utah Jazz in 2022. Some around the NBA believe Cleveland general manager Koby Altman has to make a big trade this offseason for Atkinson's group to take the next step.

Almost as soon as Cavaliers president of basketball operations Koby Altman suggested he planned to keep the “core four” intact, the trade chatter picked up anyway.