In case you haven't heard, the Cleveland Cavaliers are expensive. They are very expensive. If 2025-26 does not bring the type of success that it promises, Darius Garland could be relegated to a cost-cutting move in the very near future.
Being nearly $20 million over the second apron gives the Cavaliers a short window for contention. While there should be a general expectation that Cleveland gets at least two cracks to win a championship with this group, there is no guarantee that the core four won't be tinkered with at all.
Garland stands out as the most obvious candidate to suffer an early departure from Cleveland, should the Cavaliers fall short of meaningful playoff progression, at the least.