3 goals for Cavaliers guard Darius Garland in the 2023-24 season

Garland finished seventh in assists last season, averaging 7.8 per game. This was just 0.3 assists away from the fifth place finisher, Ja Morant. The season before, Garland averaged 8.6 assists, good enough for sixth in the league. He has been on the doorstep for the last couple of seasons, and the goal should be to finally break through as a playmaker for the Wine and Gold.

As was noted before, Cleveland’s offense looks much different in the preseason, and while it is a very small sample size, the offense should be better than last season. There is a lot more off-ball movement, and cutting that will lead to Garland creating great looks for those around him.

With the additions of two certified snipers in Max Strus and Georges Niang, shooting is no longer an issue. Gone are the dreadful days of last season, by comparison, in which Isaac Okoro and Lamar Stevens were open in the corner, often by design from opposing defenses.

When Garland drives and kicks, there is a good chance the open look will be knocked down. Another season playing alongside Donovan Mitchell, and Evan Mobley and continuing to develop that chemistry with them will help as well.