CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Cavaliers announced Saturday that All-Star point guard Darius Garland has been signed to a contract extension.
"Darius has proven to be a tremendous basketball player and someone who embodies everything a franchise would want in a young player. We’ve quickly seen Darius grow into an NBA All-Star and an integral core piece in our pursuit of sustainable success. Both on and off the court, Darius has demonstrated a strong commitment to this organization and the community. We look forward to our future and what we can accomplish here in Cleveland,” said Cavaliers President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman.
Last week, the Associated Press reported Garland signed a 5-year, $193 million extension which is the largest in franchise history.
Garland's deal is the largest in franchise history.
The fifth overall pick in 2019, Garland has quickly developed into one of the NBA's top point guards. Last season, he averaged 21.7 points and 8.6 assists in 68 games while helping the Cavs win 22 more games than the previous season.
The 22-year-old Garland has improved statistically each season, but beyond that, he has grown as a leader for a rising Cleveland team that just missed the playoffs last season.
Garland agreed to the same deal that another elite young guard, Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies, struck earlier in the week as the majority of the league’s offseason business began getting underway.
Garland’s extension begins in the 2023-24 season and, for now, would see him making just over $33 million in the first year and escalating steadily, all the way to $44 million in 2027-28.
If he makes an All-NBA team this coming season — meaning he would have to be selected as one of the top six guards in the league, unless the league changes its voting structure before then — the numbers get even bigger, going from “max” to “supermax.”
In that scenario, Garland would start out making $40 million in 2023-24, and be due almost $53 million in 2027-28.
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