Two recent Cleveland Cavaliers have a chance to go head-to-head for the first time for new teams nearly 2,500 miles from their old home when the Los Angeles Clippers visit the Sacramento Kings on Friday night.
Dealt from the Cavaliers in separate trades 48 hours apart earlier in the week, Darius Garland is hopeful of making his Clippers debut while De’Andre Hunter is set to suit up for the second time for the Kings when the Pacific Divisions clubs clash.
Garland could only sit and watch when the Cavaliers, coincidentally, were scheduled to play the Clippers in Los Angeles on Wednesday while their trade, which brought James Harden to Cleveland, was still pending approval.
With Harden also sitting out, the Cavaliers won the game 124-91.
Meanwhile, in Sacramento, the Kings introduced Hunter to his new home fans before a 129-125 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. Hunter, acquired for Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis, had just nine points in 26 minutes as a starter in his Kings debut.
The last time Garland and Hunter went head-to-head actually wasn’t all that long ago. While Garland had been a career-long Cavalier, Hunter was acquired by Cleveland from Atlanta last February. He had previously faced Garland in Hawks-Cavaliers matchups 12 times, with the Hawks winning seven of those games.
While the Clippers could have Garland in the lineup Friday, they likely won’t have Bennedict Mathurin and Isaiah Jackson, who were picked up at Thursday’s deadline along with three draft picks for Ivica Zubac and Kobe Brown.
Garland hasn’t played since Jan. 14 because of a sprained big toe on his right foot, but reportedly has indicated he’s ready to return as soon as the Clippers need him.
Coach Tyronn Lue hasn’t said when that will be, but clearly has already envisioned a new look with the speedy Garland moving into the spot vacated by the lead-footed Harden.
“He’s different from James and we can play different with a faster pace,” Lue noted to reporters after the deal. “It’s going to be exciting. I’ve known DG for a while, and having a young point guard under my tutelage, I think it’s the first time I have had one since Kyrie (Irving).”
The Clippers have lost two in a row and three of four since Kawhi Leonard, Harden and Zubac led a 9-1 surge that got Los Angeles back in playoff contention. The visit to Sacramento tips off a four-game trip.
Despite the arrival of Hunter, the Kings dropped a 10th straight when outfinished by the Grizzlies on Wednesday.
Sacramento was mentioned in as many rumors as any team leading into the deadline, but in the end, elected to retain Domantas Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine and Russell Westbrook.
Kings coach Doug Christie said he looks forward to pairing Hunter with Keegan Murray, who is being pointed to a return from a sprained left ankle after the All-Star break.
“I’m just excited to see them (together),” Christie told reporters in the wake of the Cleveland trade. “When you think about it, you got two long wings. They both play the right way for the right reasons. They are team players. They’re going to do all the little things that equate to winning.”
