The Cavaliers have a real case to make in the Eastern Conference, and it starts with how much better their roster looks on paper. Cleveland spent part of the offseason staring down the possibility of missing on LeBron James, but that changed about a month later when the team landed Peyton Watson in a deal with the Nuggets. That move altered the rotation and the outlook around the team in one shot.
The headliner is the starting group. James Harden and Donovan Mitchell give Cleveland two All-Star guards who can each pile up 20-25 points and still set the table for everyone else.
Mitchell brings the pure scoring punch. Harden still has the step-back and the foul-drawing that make him so hard to deal with.
Watson is the piece that helps the whole thing click. Cleveland has been trying to fill the void at small forward for a while, and his arrival gives them a do-it-all wing who shoots better than 40% from three, attacks the rim, and brings real disruption on defense with more than a block and a steal per night. That kind of two-way impact changes the shape of a lineup.
Up front, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen round out a frontcourt that gives the Cavaliers size, rim protection, and efficiency. Mobley showed in the postseason that his three-point shot is part of the package now, and his blocking remains a major weapon. Allen keeps doing what he does best: finishing efficiently and anchoring the middle.
That’s why this is being billed as Cleveland’s best starting five of the Donovan Mitchell era.
The second unit also looks useful, not just passable. Sam Merrill and Jaylon Tyson are expected to lead the bench group after both got starter-level reps last season. Merrill’s shooting and Tyson’s defense give the group a sturdy foundation.
Mario Hezonja adds another layer with his isolation scoring and playmaking. After five years away from the league, his play for Croatia in FIBA Qualifiers showed the kind of player he is now, and the 2024-25 EuroLeague MVP is expected to fit into a bigger role.
Nae’Qwan Tomlin is projected for a solid role as well, with his athleticism and work on his shooting pointing to a chance to become a real lob threat for the second unit. In the backcourt, Cleveland has options in Craig Porter Jr., Tyrese Proctor, and Meleek Thomas. Porter brings passing, Proctor brings shooting, and Thomas offers another swiss-army knife type of presence.
There’s also the matter of what happened against the Knicks. Cleveland’s Game 1 loss was described as a bottom three moment in franchise history, with a huge fourth-quarter lead disappearing, a Sam Merrill three rattling out, and overtime turning into a blowout.
The team then got rolled in the next three games. But the roster has changed since then.
Watson is in. Harden’s thumb is healthy.
Donovan Mitchell, now married, signed a three-year extension.
On Sept. 2, the picture is still just that - a picture. But the Cavaliers still look dangerous next to the other top teams in the East, and Kenny Atkinson knows he needs a strong start to quiet any talk about his job status. The talent, the depth, and the fit all point in the same direction.
Cleveland has the look of a team that should be taken seriously in the East.
In Other News...
Cavs Fans Just Got A New Reason To Revisit The Garland Trade
The NBAs punishment of the Clippers for salary cap violations tied to Kawhi Leonard has given the league a jolt, but it also has a ripple effect for Cleveland fans still watching former Cavaliers move through the trade market. Los Angeles was stripped of five first-round picks through the 2034 season, a hit that immediately changes the way the team can think about its future and makes every remaining move feel a little more consequential.
Darius Garland, who was recently acquired by the Clippers, now lands in a far different kind of spotlight as that franchise stares at a rebuilding phase. For Cavaliers fans, it is another reminder that trades do not always end when the transaction is announced, and that Garland could become one of the more interesting assets to track as the Clippers figure out what comes next. [Read more 🡒]
Former Cavs First Rounder Suddenly Has A New Spotlight
Jonathan Kumingas move to Minnesota has already nudged the rest of the market, and the ripple effect is reaching back to a familiar Cavaliers name. With the Timberwolves locking in Kuminga on a two-year deal that includes a player option, the Lakers are back to sorting through alternatives, and Cam Whitmore has quickly become one of the more interesting ones on the board.
Whitmore, a former first-round pick, was recently waived by Cleveland and still brings NBA experience that can appeal to teams looking for upside without a major commitment. If Los Angeles keeps digging, a two-way contract could be part of the conversation, which is why a player who was only briefly in the Cavs orbit may suddenly be drawing a fresh round of attention. [Read more 🡒]
Cavs Fans Just Learned The Catch In Next Seasons TV Plan
The Cavaliers have lined up a new home for their local broadcasts starting in the 2026-27 NBA season, announcing that their games will air on DAZN. For fans who have spent the past few years juggling cable, streaming bundles and regional sports options, the move marks another big shift in how to follow the team from night to night.
There is a catch, though, and it matters. Of the 82 regular-season games, 17 nationally televised matchups will not be on DAZN, while 15 games will be available free through an over-the-air partner, leaving at least 50 games exclusive to the platform. DAZN says it will offer several subscription plans at different prices and will also carry select regional sports programming for free, so the next question for Cavs fans is what that setup will actually cost, and how easy it will be to get every game. [Read more 🡒]