The Cavaliers have kept the foundation in place, but the job isn’t finished yet.
Donovan Mitchell is back, and he’ll again line up with Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley as Cleveland tries to move into the new season with its core intact. The team has also brought in Croatian wing Mario Hezonja, who is returning to the NBA with something to prove, while rookie Meleek Thomas has added a dose of intrigue after an explosive NBA Summer League.
Even with those pieces in place, the bigger picture is working against Cleveland. The Eastern Conference has gotten bigger, deeper and more dangerous, with the Philadelphia 76ers adding Jaylen Brown and LeBron James and the Miami Heat landing Giannis Antetokounmpo.
That leaves the Cavaliers staring at a simple question: how do they keep pace?
Two names sit near the top of the list. Jonathan Kuminga and Peyton Watson both fit needs Cleveland has to address before opening night.
Kuminga brings young two-way talent and the kind of upside that could make him a long-term answer at a spot that has been a real problem area for the Cavaliers. Watson offers a different kind of value - elite athleticism, defense and the ability to make plays in transition.
The catch is cost. Kuminga is reportedly seeking $20 million, which makes a sign-and-trade the most realistic route for Cleveland, with Max Strus the likely outgoing piece. Watson is even harder to pry loose, since the Denver Nuggets do not appear eager to move him and are trying to hold together their roster while dealing with luxury-tax restrictions.
"We want Peyton to stay with us," a Denver front office executive told Spotrac’s Keith Smith. "He's an important player for us. We'll see where things go with his contract, but we've made it clear our intention is for him to stay with us."
Salary is the other hurdle hanging over Cleveland. The Cavaliers remain one of the league’s most expensive teams, so any serious move likely requires trimming money elsewhere. Still, with the East suddenly looking much tougher, taking that kind of swing may be the price of staying in the race.
James Harden’s situation is still unresolved, and his return to Cleveland remains tied to the Cavaliers creating more flexibility. Harden wants to be there, but he wants to know the roster is ready before he commits. For now, he’s watching closely to see what comes next.
If Cleveland lands either Kuminga or Watson, Harden is expected to make his decision. It’s unlikely both players end up in Cleveland.
There’s also a more ambitious route on the board: Anthony Davis. It’s the kind of idea that has been discussed before, but it remains a long shot. The Washington Wizards are not expected to let him go cheaply, especially after LeBron put the NBA on hold with his decision.
Davis would bring obvious risk because of his injury history, but the upside is just as obvious. When he’s on the floor, he still plays at an All-NBA level and can change the ceiling of a team in a hurry.
Cleveland’s front office has already shown it’s willing to chase veterans if the fit makes sense. Moving Jarrett Allen would be a painful call for the fan base, but it could also open the door for Evan Mobley to settle into a full-time role as the team’s anchor in the middle.
For all the uncertainty, the Cavaliers still have time. The wait around James’ decision has slowed things down and cramped their flexibility, but it hasn’t shut the door. Cleveland can still make meaningful additions and head into the season with a roster that looks a lot different - and a lot more dangerous - than the one it has now.
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 🡒]