The Cleveland Cavaliers are going back to a familiar look for 2026-27, and this one comes with a bit of history attached.
The team’s new City Edition uniforms will bring back the 2018-19 “Earned Edition,” the set the NBA gave to teams that made the 2018 postseason. Cleveland wore those jerseys only three times during the 2018-19 season, all within a one-month stretch, with one of those appearances coming on January 2, 2019 against the Miami Heat. They were a short-lived run, but clearly a memorable one.
That limited release made the jerseys a fan favorite, and now they’re returning as the Cavaliers’ City Edition for 2026-27. The announcement came on X, where the team’s old look was revealed to be coming back into the rotation.
What stands out immediately is the change in branding. Cleveland’s last four City Edition uniforms all featured “The Land,” but this version simply says Cleveland. That also means the team won’t be introducing a new color in place of the recent City Edition stretch that included white, maroon, blue and orange.
The rollout around the league has been quieter this time than in years past, though user @NBAUniTracker compiled a mega thread of confirmed team announcements. Still, Cleveland’s choice is one of the more recognizable ones on the board because it leans straight into nostalgia.
As with the Cavaliers’ previous City Edition sets, these uniforms are expected to be worn six times, likely beginning in mid-November and running into March. The Indiana Pacers had previously used their City Edition as playoff primaries in 2024-25 before the league told them to stop beginning in the Eastern Conference finals.
For fans who already bought the 2018 Earned Edition, there’s no need to hunt down a new style. For everyone else, the look is back on the market, with Donovan Mitchell set to wear it this time after Collin Sexton did the honors last time around.
In Other News...
Kenny Atkinson Just Sent A Clear Message About What Cavs Value
At a Basketball Without Borders camp in Istanbul, Kenny Atkinson used Sam Merrill as the kind of example young players should study if they want to stick in the league. The Cavaliers coach pointed to Merrill as a model role player, highlighting how Cleveland values the steady, less flashy work that can keep a team organized and competitive.
Merrill has built his reputation on shooting and a defensive role, and Cleveland doubled down on that profile by signing him to a four-year contract in July 2025. Atkinsons broader message to the camp was just as clear: the Cavaliers want players who help in the margins, especially through defense and rebounding, even when they are not the ones dominating the box score. [Read more 🡒]
Cavaliers Are Suddenly In The Mix For A Veteran Contender Boost
Bruce Brown has emerged as a name worth watching for Cleveland as the Cavaliers continue to look for veteran help on the wing. The free agent market has already seen Jonathan Kuminga land with Minnesota on a two-year deal that includes a player option, ending a Lakers pursuit and reshuffling a few of the options still available to teams looking for immediate depth and experience.
Brown is now sitting in the middle of that conversation, with the Lakers, Heat and Cavaliers all known to have interest. For Cleveland, the appeal is obvious: a proven contender piece who can fit into a playoff-minded rotation, with the final decision likely coming down to the kind of contract Brown can secure and which team is willing to meet it. [Read more 🡒]
Evan Mobleys Place In The 2021 Class Is Suddenly A Debate
Evan Mobleys early place in the 2021 draft conversation has become a little more interesting lately, thanks to a fresh redraft of the class that puts real weight on how those players have developed since entering the league. For Cleveland, it is a reminder of how quickly perceptions can change around a group that once looked neatly ordered on draft night. Mobley still sits near the top of that class in the latest evaluation, with his defense, versatility and overall growth keeping him in the thick of the discussion.
What makes the debate worthwhile for the Cavaliers is that it is not simply about who went first, but about how the best players from that class are being measured now. Cade Cunningham and Scottie Barnes have both built strong cases of their own, and Mobleys standing reflects the kind of impact he has made without needing to dominate the ball. The redraft does not settle anything officially, of course, but it does underline how close the top of that 2021 class remains and how much Cleveland has to be encouraged by Mobleys trajectory. [Read more 🡒]