Cavs’ Slide Drawing Heat from Dan Gilbert as Frustration Mounts in Cleveland
The Cleveland Cavaliers are in a rough patch, and it’s not just the fans who are feeling it. Team owner Dan Gilbert is reportedly growing increasingly frustrated with what he’s seeing on the court - and given the numbers, it’s hard to blame him.
The Cavs have dropped eight of their last 11 games, slipping to a 15-14 record and hanging onto a play-in spot by their fingernails. For a team that entered the season with high expectations - and a payroll that reflects championship aspirations - this kind of inconsistency is raising eyebrows at the very top.
According to reporting from Wine and Gold Talk, Gilbert has become “very unhappy” with the team’s recent play. The boos at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse - heard in four of the last five home games - haven’t gone unnoticed.
Neither have the blown leads, sluggish starts, or the troubling trend of the Cavs trailing by double digits far too often. Gilbert, like any owner writing hefty checks, is watching closely - and what he’s seeing isn’t matching the investment.
And speaking of investment, let’s talk dollars. Cleveland is currently operating with the NBA’s highest payroll and is the only team sitting in the league’s second luxury tax apron.
That comes with a steep price: nearly $164 million in projected luxury tax penalties. That’s not a bill you pay unless you believe your team is contending for a title - and right now, the Cavs aren’t looking like that kind of squad.
This is a sharp turn from where they were just a season ago. Cleveland finished with a sparkling 64-18 record last year and entered the postseason as a legitimate Eastern Conference threat. But after a second-round exit, the front office largely chose continuity over change, betting that internal growth and better health would push them further.
Instead, the Cavs have stumbled out of the gate. Injuries have played a role - Evan Mobley, Max Strus, and Sam Merrill are all sidelined - but the lack of cohesion and urgency has been just as glaring.
While team officials are pointing to those eventual returns as potential stabilizers, the reality is that time isn’t on their side. Not in a loaded Eastern Conference.
Not with the trade deadline looming on February 5.
Gilbert, known for being an involved owner, has reportedly become more hands-on in recent weeks. That’s not always a signal of immediate change, but it’s certainly something to watch. When the man footing the bill starts showing up more often in the decision-making process, it usually means pressure is mounting behind the scenes.
The message is clear: the Cavs were built to compete now. But with nearly half the season gone and a middling record to show for it, the clock is ticking. If Cleveland doesn’t find its rhythm - and fast - the front office may be forced to make the kind of moves that shake up more than just the rotation.
In a season that started with championship talk, the Cavs are suddenly fighting just to stay relevant. And with an owner who’s made it clear he expects more, the next few weeks could define not just this season, but the future of the franchise.