The Cavaliers spent last season trying to patch together a rotation that never quite settled, and the bench was a big reason why. Cleveland finished the year with 41 different starting lineups, a number that tells the story all by itself. The group steadied in the postseason, when everyone in the rotation was mostly healthy, but the regular season churn left the second unit exposed.
That was a real drop-off from where the Cavs had been. Cleveland went from seventh in bench scoring in 2025 to 21st in 2026, and the departure of Ty Jerome played a major role. Last season, the Cavaliers never really found a way to replace what he brought.
There is at least a path toward fixing that now, and it starts with the young players already on the roster.
Jaylon Tyson is one of the clearest candidates to help. He posted his best season as a pro last year, and even though his playoff debut went poorly, he still looks like a player who can make another leap in year three. Sam Merrill also gave Cleveland a real lift, emerging as one of the league’s best reserve shooters while keeping the offense moving with his off-ball work.
Nae’Qwan Tomlin is another name worth watching. He arrived last season with good energy, but his offense looked uneven.
In Vegas, though, he looked much better. If he keeps sharpening his shot and adds strength, he could become a fixture in the rotation this season.
Tyrese Proctor and Craig Porter Jr. have both flashed enough to stay in the mix, too. Koby Altman said at his end-of-season press conference that he expects a big summer from Proctor, and the team even sent a coach with him while he played for Team Australia in FIBA qualifying.
Then there’s Meleek Thomas, who may have made the loudest statement of all. He lit up summer league, led Vegas in scoring, and looked very comfortable handling the ball. That kind of showing suggests he could be ready for a meaningful role sooner rather than later.
Cleveland still has work to do, and more moves could come before the summer is over. But the Cavaliers do have something they lacked for stretches last season: a bench full of young players with a chance to grow into real production. And if they’re going to hold their own in the East, they’ll need that second unit to deliver.
In Other News...
Cavs May Finally Have Their Wing Answer In Sight
The Cavaliers search for another dependable wing has led them to a familiar kind of summer target, with DeMar DeRozan now on their radar after Sacramento waived him on July 6. Cleveland has been looking for a veteran presence who can steady the offense and fit into a playoff setting, and DeRozan still checks a lot of those boxes after another productive season.
He averaged 18.4 points, 4.1 assists and 2.9 rebounds per game last year, and his track record in the postseason gives any contender reason to pay attention. Cleveland is not alone in the chase, though, and with Miami and Denver also showing interest, the next step could come down to where DeRozan sees the clearest path to contention and a meaningful role. [Read more 🡒]
Magic Johnson Just Put Cavaliers In The East's Top Tier
Magic Johnsons latest look at the Eastern Conference had the Cavaliers right where their offseason has been aiming them: in the leagues top tier. Cleveland is coming off a 52-30 season and a trip to the conference finals, and the front office has spent the summer trying to build on that momentum by trading for James Harden and locking up Donovan Mitchell on a contract extension.
Johnsons broader point was that the East is crowded with contenders, and Cleveland is part of that conversation whether it wants the spotlight or not. The Cavaliers also had to navigate some turnover in free agency, which makes the next phase of roster building just as important as the moves already made, especially with more big-name transaction talk still hanging over the conference. [Read more 🡒]
Cavs Still Want Jonathan Kuminga But One Hurdle Won't Go Away
The Cavaliers still have Jonathan Kuminga on their radar, and the fit is easy enough to understand. Cleveland could use another young wing with upside, and Kuminga has been linked to the team as the market for his next deal continues to sort itself out. The interest is real, but so are the limits, with the Cavs having to keep one eye on their cap picture while trying to figure out how aggressive they can be.
Kuminga is looking for a short-term deal, while Cleveland has to navigate the kind of contract structure that can make a sign-and-trade far more complicated than a simple offer sheet. The Lakers and Hawks remain part of the broader picture, and the moving pieces around those teams only make the path murkier. For now, the Cavs are still in the conversation, but the main question is whether the framework of a deal can ever line up with what Kuminga wants. [Read more 🡒]