Cautious Approach for Darius Garland
The Cleveland Cavaliers are proceeding cautiously with their point guard Darius Garland as they head into training camp. Following surgery on his injured big toe, which plagued him during the playoffs, Garland will only take part in limited basketball activities. Analysts suggest he might be sidelined for at least the first month of the upcoming regular season.
Impact of Garland’s Injury
Garland’s toe injury significantly affected his performance late in the season, but he had shown promising signs of recovery this offseason, focusing on increasing his strength. Cavaliers president of basketball operations Koby Altman noted,
“He’s been working on his weight room strength and has made great progress. He appears stronger and more robust both physically and mentally.”
Team Adjustments and Roster Changes
Last season, the Cavaliers boasted the best record in the Eastern Conference but were unexpectedly ousted by the Indiana Pacers in the second round of the playoffs. During that regular season, Garland posted impressive stats, averaging 20.6 points and 6.7 assists, even though he missed the final two games of the regular season and four playoff games due to his injury.
With Garland unavailable, the Cavaliers are considering shifting Donovan Mitchell to point guard and promoting Sam Merrill to shooting guard at the start of the season. Additionally, they bolstered their roster by acquiring Lonzo Ball from the Chicago Bulls, a move that Coach Kenny Atkinson believes will perfectly fit their system.
“He will bring a lot to our team,”
Atkinson commented about Ball.
Additional Injury Concerns
Compounding their injury concerns, forward Max Strus is also expected to be absent for the initial two months of the season after undergoing surgery for a broken left foot. Strus played a crucial role last season, averaging 9.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.2 assists in 50 games. During his recovery, De’Andre Hunter, whom the team brought in during a trade last season, is expected to take over most of the playing time left vacant by Strus’ absence.
Looking Ahead
As the Cavaliers prepare for training camp at IMG Academy in Sarasota, Florida, Altman expressed optimism that the team might have a clearer picture of their players’ conditions after six days of workouts.
