CLEVELAND, Ohio — When it comes to trade speculation, few scenarios ignite fan passion like the idea of a star player returning to where it all began.
On the latest Wine and Gold Talk podcast, cleveland.com’s Cavs beat reporter Chris Fedor dropped a bombshell hypothetical that sent shockwaves through Cavs Nation: a potential Darius Garland for Kyrie Irving swap.
This isn’t just shock-value speculation – Fedor laid out compelling logic for why this blockbuster trade could make sense for both franchises.
For Dallas, the move would align their roster with the trajectory of their new cornerstone, Cooper Flagg.
“The trajectory of Dallas does not align with Kyrie at this point anymore,” Fedor explained. “So if they could flip Kyrie for the next three to five years of Darius to grow alongside Cooper Flag, then all of a sudden things look a little bit different in Dallas.”
From Cleveland’s perspective, the move would accelerate their championship window by pairing Donovan Mitchell with a proven playoff performer in Irving.
While acknowledging the complications of Irving’s ACL recovery, Fedor emphasized how this aligns with the Cavaliers’ current competitive timeline.
“I do think it’s finals or bust,” he stated regarding the Cavs’ expectations. “And I do think it’s continue to try and keep Donovan Mitchell happy, engaged and wanting to believe that this team, this organization, has a chance to put him in position to compete for championships.”
Host Ethan Sands expanded on the potential ripple effects, particularly if Dallas were to make additional moves:
“If they were to retool this entire roster, say the Dallas Mavericks go away from Anthony Davis and get back Zaccharie Risacher from the Atlanta Hawks, and then they trade Kyrie Irving and get back Darius Garland,” Sands said. “Then you have the youthful years of Zaccharie Risacher, Cooper Flagg and Darius Garland. And no, I don’t think anybody’s necessarily scared of that team in a playoff series, especially in the Western Conference right now. But we’re talking about a 19-year-old, Zaccharie Risacher is 20 years old and a 25-year-old.
“When we talk about a team that would be full of potential and as you mentioned, Chris and I think this is really important, prime years of these players ... especially when you talk about the size and the skill of both Cooper Flagg and Zaccharie Risacher and then the gravity and the offensive skill set of Darius Garland.”
What makes this hypothetical particularly intriguing is the symmetry in contract values, particularly because of the Cavs’ second apron restrictions.
“Kyrie makes right around the same amount as Darius,” Fedor noted, highlighting the financial feasibility of such a blockbuster deal.
Of course, the emotional implications of Kyrie returning to Cleveland cannot be understated.
The controversial star who hit the championship-clinching shot in 2016 could potentially come full circle, seeking his “second ring without LeBron” as Sands pointed out, while playing alongside Mitchell as they both have been considered the second best Cavalier of all-time.
While this remains firmly in the realm of speculation, the detailed analysis on the Wine and Gold Talk podcast demonstrates why this particular trade concept has legs beyond typical fan fantasy.
The alignment of team timelines, the matching salaries, and the basketball fit all suggest this blockbuster scenario deserves more than a dismissive glance.
For Cavs fans desperate to maximize the Mitchell era and recapture championship glory, the tantalizing possibility of Irving’s return provides a fascinating “what if” to monitor as the trade deadline approaches – especially if the current roster continues to underperform relative to expectations.
Here’s the podcast for this week: