The Cleveland Cavaliers were one of the most active teams at the trade deadline, and while they didn’t quite escape the NBA’s second apron, they came impressively close. In a week that saw them shed $18 million in salary, Cleveland made a series of bold, calculated moves that reshaped the roster and sent a clear message: this team is going all-in.
Let’s start with the headline deal - Darius Garland out, James Harden in. That move officially closed the chapter on the “core four” era in Cleveland.
Garland, Evan Mobley, Donovan Mitchell, and Jarrett Allen once represented the Cavs’ long-term future. But the Harden trade signaled a shift from potential to urgency.
It’s win-now, or bust. Harden’s presence brings another level of playmaking and veteran experience, and while he may not be the MVP-caliber version we saw in Houston, he still commands defensive attention and can tilt a playoff series.
And there’s a financial layer to this too. If Harden declines his player option this summer - not a guarantee, but certainly on the table - the Cavs could find themselves with even more cap flexibility to retool around their remaining stars. It’s a gamble, but one that could pay off both on the court and on the books.
The Cavaliers didn’t stop there. They also brought in Keon Ellis and Dennis Schroder, adding depth and defensive versatility - two areas that needed shoring up.
Schroder, in particular, gives Cleveland a reliable secondary ball handler and a proven playoff performer. Ellis is more of a developmental piece, but he brings energy and upside on the wing.
The front office also made a clear effort to clean up the books. Trading De’Andre Hunter and Lonzo Ball helped cut significant salary, and the Lonzo move - which sent him and two second-round picks to Utah for no return - was a pure cap play.
The goal was clear: get under the second apron. They came close, but ultimately finished about $4 million over the line.
That $4 million matters. Because of it, Cleveland will face the full weight of the NBA’s new punitive luxury tax system.
The most immediate consequence? Their 2033 first-round pick is now frozen and off-limits in trades.
And if they don’t get under the apron in three of the next four seasons, that pick will be automatically pushed to the end of the first round, no matter their record. That’s a steep price for a team trying to build a sustainable contender.
The Cavs reportedly explored one final move to duck under the apron entirely. Jarrett Allen was floated in rumors, with the Indiana Pacers showing interest.
A deal could’ve brought back draft assets, depth, and crucial salary relief. But when Indiana pivoted and acquired Ivica Zubac from the Clippers, that door slammed shut.
With no other serious suitors, Allen stayed put.
Max Strus also surfaced in trade chatter, though nothing substantial ever materialized. Considering his current injury status, that’s not surprising. In the end, Cleveland made a smart call to hold steady rather than force a bad deal just to save a few million.
One under-the-radar move to watch: with an open roster spot after the Lonzo trade, the Cavaliers are expected to convert two-way forward Nae’Qwan Tomlin to a standard contract. The second-year player has shown promise, and this would be a well-earned promotion for a guy who’s been grinding in the margins.
So where does this leave Cleveland? With a new-look core of Harden, Mitchell, and Mobley, the Cavs are charging into the postseason with a retooled roster and a renewed sense of urgency. After a rocky start to the season, they’ve climbed to 31-21, sitting just behind the two-seed New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference.
They didn’t get all the way under the apron, but they got better - and that’s what matters most. The Cavaliers are betting big on this group, and now it’s time to see if that gamble can carry them deep into the playoffs.