The Cavaliers spent the offseason chasing the kind of swing that changes everything, and they came up empty. Cleveland entered the summer with visions of Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James, but the headline outcome was Donovan Mitchell’s contract extension, a promising rookie in Meleek Thomas, and not much else to show for it.
That lack of movement did not go unnoticed. In his latest column for The Athletic, David Aldridge slotted the Cavaliers at No. 23 out of 30 teams in his offseason rankings, a painful placement for a club that clearly aimed higher.
The biggest problem was the way Cleveland bet on James and never really built around the possibility that he would not come. Koby Altman and company put all their eggs in the LeBron James basket, and once the greatest player in franchise history decided to break the fans’ hearts again and signed with the Philadelphia 76ers, there was no Plan B.
To be fair, the Cavaliers had reasons to believe James might return. They were the only team to meet with him in person, and Cleveland looked like the only destination that made sense for him. But James has left them hanging before, and banking the entire offseason on that outcome without a workable backup plan was poor planning.
When the James pursuit fell apart, the Cavaliers were left scrambling, and the list of meaningful options had already thinned out. That was followed by more near-misses. The team reportedly flirted with Jonathan Kuminga and Peyton Watson, but couldn’t close a deal with either player, a failure that could end up mattering.
The roster churn did not exactly help the outlook, either. Losing Dean Wade and Keon Ellis can be a lethal blow on the defensive end, and among the newcomers, only Mario Hezonja and Meleek Thomas seem likely to have a real role in Kenny Atkinson’s rotation next season.
All of this lands against a backdrop of a team that has already shown its limitations. Cleveland couldn’t get much done in the Eastern Conference Finals and looked multiple steps below the eventual champion, the New York Knicks. The same summer also saw the Philadelphia 76ers trade for Jaylen Brown and the Toronto Raptors nearly land Kawhi Leonard, which only sharpened the contrast.
The James chase was supposed to be the franchise-altering move. Instead, it became the move that exposed how little else was waiting behind it.
And with Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen having fallen short time and time again, the front office still did not find a way to add real help. As the source material put it, “James Harden is the last person you want on your team in a playoff game.”
They knew the problems, and still did not do anything to improve the team in the slightest.
In Other News...
Did The Cavs Really Improve After Their Biggest Roster Gamble
The Cavaliers have spent the past couple of seasons chasing the right mix of star power and lineup balance, and the debate now turns on whether the bigger swing actually left them better off. The 2024-25 group with Darius Garland and DeAndre Hunter offered a steadier two-way shape, with more obvious chemistry and depth around the core, while the current roster is built on a more explosive top end.
Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen give Cleveland a higher ceiling on offense, especially with Hardens ability to create in ways the earlier group could not. Still, the question is whether that extra shot creation outweighs the cohesion the Cavs already had, and a recent fan poll suggests plenty of observers still trust the older version in a seven-game series. [Read more 🡒]
Larry Nance Jr. Just Gave Cleveland's New Team A Real Boost
Larry Nance Jr. is keeping close ties to Cleveland in a way fans will appreciate, buying season tickets for the citys new WNBA club as it prepares for its inaugural season. The former Cavaliers forward has long been connected to the area, and his support arrives as the Cleveland Sirens continue building momentum after unveiling their new mascot and getting ready for a debut that carries real local significance.
The Sirens first season will mark the return of WNBA basketball to Cleveland after a long absence, with the franchise set to end a 25-year wait since the Rockers final season in 2003. For a city that has spent years wondering when womens pro basketball would come back, a familiar name like Nance stepping up only adds to the sense that this launch is starting to feel bigger than a simple expansion rollout. [Read more 🡒]
Cavaliers Are Zeroing In On A Wing To Fill A Critical Need
The Cavaliers are still working to shore up a clear need on the wing after losing Dean Wade, and Peyton Watson has emerged as a player of interest in that search. According to NBA insider Shams Charania, Cleveland is in discussions with the Denver Nuggets on a potential sign-and-trade deal for the 22-year-old, a sign the team is exploring more than one avenue to stabilize its starting small forward spot.
Watsons situation adds another layer to the conversation, since he is a restricted free agent and his contract status gives Denver control for now. He also holds a qualifying offer that could put him on track to become an unrestricted free agent next summer, which is part of what makes his market worth watching as Cleveland tries to find a long-term answer on the perimeter. [Read more 🡒]