Injured guard Darius Garland has spoken about his recent move from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Los Angeles Clippers, highlighting the differences that come with this change. The trade, which occurred midseason on February 3, exchanged Garland for veteran James Harden, creating a fresh start in Los Angeles and presenting Garland with a larger offensive role.
Garland admitted initial skepticism about the trade but quickly realized the promising scope the Clippers offer.
“When it first happened, I was kind of skeptical. But I couldn’t turn down this opportunity to play with another Hall of Famer [Leonard] and having a ball in my hands damn near 99 percent of the time,”
Garland told Andscape.
This increased responsibility is a stark contrast to his time in Cleveland, where Garland shared primary ball-handling duties first with Donovan Mitchell and then with Harden, as the Cavaliers aggressively pushed to maximize their championship window. For Garland, Los Angeles represents a place where he can express himself more fully on offense.
He added,
“But now, I’m over here in a really good situation. I have the ball in my hand a lot more where I could do me a little bit more. I have another superstar [Leonard] next to me. I can go get it as well.”
Beyond basketball, Garland also noted the lifestyle change the move brought.
“The first day, I literally called my mom and said, ‘This is the first time I’ve seen sun in February,’”
he said, explaining how the California climate positively affected his mood.
Impact of Injuries and Cleveland’s Urgency on the Trade
Garland acknowledged that his injuries played a role in Cleveland’s decision to trade him. He has dealt with a surgically repaired toe and a recent sprain, limiting him to 26 games this season and sidelining him since mid-January.
“It was going to happen regardless, either at the deadline or this summer,”
Garland expressed, noting that his agent Rich Paul had prepared him for this possibility months in advance.
“But yeah, the toe definitely had a factor in it … They want to win right now.”
While the Cavaliers accelerated their pursuit of a championship by adding Harden, the Clippers took a different path, focusing on restructuring around superstar Kawhi Leonard.
Garland revealed that his debut with the Clippers is imminent, pending medical clearance. He is eager to build chemistry with Leonard and engage fully with the larger city’s culture, including fashion and technology.
He described his desire to understand Leonard’s mindset, saying,
“I’m trying to sit next to him on the plane … just to see where his mindset is. He just wants to win basketball games. So, we’re on the same type of time right now.”
Reflection on Time in Cleveland and New Beginnings in Los Angeles
Garland holds a strong appreciation for his time with the Cavaliers, where he ranks among the franchise’s all-time leaders in assists and three-pointers. He insisted there are, “no hard feelings,” toward Cleveland and called the trade a “good change.”
Looking forward, Garland emphasized that the significant factor in his move is the chance to control the ball more often and take a leading role in shaping the Clippers’ future. If he succeeds in this role, the Los Angeles team may soon understand why Cleveland once built its offense around him.
