Rich Paul breaks silence on Darius Garland’s Lakers move as Cleveland locker room turmoil comes to light

The Cleveland Cavaliers recently let head coach JB Bickerstaff leave after four years together. And now, in an unexpected turn of events, there has been talk of Cavs point guard Darius Garland potentially joining the Los Angeles Lakers. News of locker room problems in Cleveland spread quickly and rumors have it that Garland wants to leave. Amid all the speculation, Garland’s agent, Rich Paul, addressed the developments in an interview with Bleacher Report.

Rumor has it that Garland wants to leave because of teammate Donovan Mitchell. The player struggles to find his own rhythm with another ball-dominant player on the roster. This isn’t the first time comments about the Cavs locker room situation have been made.

The Cavaliers’ decision to fire head coach JB Bickerstaff revealed deeper issues within the team. In an episode of “Run It Back,” former NBA player Chandler Parsons asked new member Marcus Morris: “Have you seen a situation where there was a disconnect in the locker room? To which Morris replied: “Have you seen a situation where there was a disconnect in the locker room? Morris is only in his first season with the Cavs and his admission indicates problems.

The team’s desperate attempt to persuade Donovan Mitchell to sign an extension is believed to be the reason for Bickerstaff’s firing. It doesn’t help that there is speculation that Garland would look to move if Mitchell decides to extend his deal. When asked about the rumors, Paul gave an ambiguous response: “I think people have their own opinions on what works and what doesn’t. As of now, there is nothing to discuss about this. His response neither confirms nor denies the Lakers’ potential move. He continued, “You try to position guys a certain way to continue to have value. This is the same way I do the draft.

He discussed his role in navigating and evaluating his clients’ situations. According to Paul, the league doesn’t stop for anyone. “These guys need to make sure they understand that having the talent they have and the production allows them to maintain their value. That value turns into compensation and when you boil it all down, it’s really just a good a** job and sometimes you have to protect it as long as you can. Paul believes the league and its landscape are constantly evolving. Although he did not directly respond to these claims, his comments signal a possibility of change in Darius Garland’s future.

Los Angeles Lakers interested in Darius Garland?

If the stories about Cleveland’s locker room hold up, Garland’s exit may not be far from likely. The Lakers were looking to complete their roster and a name appeared: Donovan Mitchell. But if everything goes as planned by the Cavs, Mitchell will extend with the team. In this case, the Lakers could look to speak with the team’s other point guard, Darius Garland.

Although Mitchell has officially cleared up doubts about his opinion of his teammates, Garland has made no such attempt. It’s important to note that during the 2019 pre-draft, the Lakers worked “in secret” with Garland while they had the No. 4 pick. They later traded the pick to the New Orleans Pelicans. Garland later told ESPN “It would be an honor to play with Laker Nation. It’s a legacy. This union seems to be becoming more and more likely.

If the Cavaliers decide to keep Mitchell and trade Garland, the Lakers could step in and make an offer. This could lead to big changes for the Cleveland and Los Angeles rosters. As the offseason approaches, Cleveland’s locker room will remain the center of attention.