Former NBA player gives brutal verdict on the future of two NBA stars amid the Cleveland Cavaliers’ disappointing playoff run.
The 2024-25 campaign was statistically the second-best regular season for the Cleveland Cavaliers, only behind the 2008-09 team.
The Cavs finished the season with a 64-18 record as they clinched the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.
However, the happiness was short-lived for the Cavaliers as they were eliminated in just five games during the conference semifinals. Following an underwhelming postseason run, many are doubting Donovan Mitchell’s leadership.
Former NBA player Vernon Maxwell recently made an appearance on ‘All the Smoke’ podcast, where he discussed the Cavaliers’ 2025 playoff run amid other things.
Speaking of which, Maxwell believes it’s time for the Cavaliers to make a decision around Mitchell and part ways with Darius Garland in the process.
“They got to reset. They got those two little guards they got to reset man, that’s not a winning pedigree to me. That s___ don’t work man, you got to break that up.
“Donovan Mitchell I love his play and what he’s about, they need some help, he’s basically out there playing by himself in the second round against Indiana,” Maxwell said.
The former NBA veteran expected the likes of Garland, step up their game in the second round, but it never happened.
“I thought other guys would step up and give him a hand like they did in the regular season.”
For reference, Garland averaged just 14.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game while shooting 34.2% from the field and 16.7% from the three-point line in the conference semis.
On the other hand, he had 24.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 7.0 assists per game on much better shooting splits in the opening round.
Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo is reportedly expected to leave the organization after 12 years of service this offseason.
Evidently, every team in the NBA is keeping tabs on the Greek Freak. Maxwell’s co-guest Keyon Dooling believes someone like Antetokounmpo will be perfect on the Cavs’ current roster.
“You need more size, I think Giannis [Antetokounmpo] could suppress some of those flaws. At the end of the day you got to be healthy, and those guys weren’t healthy,” Dooling said.
While a Giannis to Cavs trade is possible, it would require the team to part ways with Evan Mobley, per experts.
