Preseason rarely hands out real answers, but it does offer a first chance to watch new pieces settle in, and that’s where the Cavaliers’ attention starts.
One of the bigger things to track in Cleveland is how Peyton Watson looks with the starters, as Zach Weiss of Cavs On SI pointed out. That matters for two reasons: Watson has to get a feel for where Donovan Mitchell and James Harden want him, and the Cavs also need to see how his ankle holds up in live action. Watson is just getting started on a four-year, $88 million deal, and Cleveland is counting on him to bring the size, athleticism and perimeter defense the roster was missing.
There’s more to watch beyond Watson, too. Second-round pick Meleek Thomas should get a longer run after earning first-team All-Summer League honors, while two-way big man Ernest Udeh Jr. and newcomer Khalifa Diop are also set for opportunities. Just don’t read too much into what happens now; preseason numbers have a way of aging badly almost immediately.
In Boston, the scoring picture is a little more predictable. Jayson Tatum is going to lead the Celtics in points, which hardly qualifies as breaking news. The real question is who comes next, and John Karalis of Celtics On SI has Payton Pritchard just ahead of Derrick White.
Karalis projects Pritchard at about 21 points per game and White at 20.5, though he also says those figures might be a touch optimistic. Paul George could end up second on a per-game basis, but availability is the issue there.
The 36-year-old played only 37 games last season. White is expected to start, Pritchard will run the second unit, and George will score when he’s on the floor.
For Boston, the bigger need is simple: someone has to keep Tatum from doing it all himself.
In Utah, Keyonte George’s numbers from last season - more than 23 points and six assists per game - still may not be enough to land him a maximum contract. Jared Koch of Jazz On SI noted that Ausar Thompson, Brandon Miller and Cason Wallace are also unlikely to get max deals.
That’s the reality of the second apron era. Teams are still paying good young players, but they’re far more cautious about handing out max money unless a player is clearly the face of the franchise. George can help his case by following up with another efficient season, and Utah also has the option of waiting for restricted free agency, when the market could set the price for them.
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Bruce Brown remains one of the more intriguing names on the market for teams still hunting for backcourt help, and the Cavaliers are among the clubs reportedly showing interest in the veteran guard. Cleveland is joined by the Heat and Lakers in that pursuit, which makes the situation worth watching for a team that could always use more toughness and flexibility in its rotation.
Browns appeal is pretty clear for a contender: he can fill different roles, he has the kind of experience teams trust late in the season, and he may be willing to consider a minimum contract. For the Cavs, that kind of bargain addition would fit the profile of a useful depth move, even if the market around him suggests there could be plenty of competition before anything gets settled. [Read more 🡒]
Cavs Preseason Could Reveal Which New Pieces Are Ready To Matter
The NBA preseason TV schedule is out, and the Cavaliers will get a couple of national-window opportunities to sort through the new faces on the roster before the games count. For a team trying to identify which additions can actually move the needle, those exhibition reps matter more than usual, especially when the spotlight is bright enough for everyone to watch the audition unfold in real time.
Meleek Thomas, Ernest Udeh Jr., Khalifa Diop and Peyton Watson are among the players worth tracking as Cleveland tries to learn who can carve out a real role. Watson is the most intriguing of the group, entering the first year of a four-year contract with the expectation that he should become an important part of the Cavaliers success, but preseason is where expectations have to start looking like production. [Read more 🡒]
New Look Cavs Bring Real Rotation Drama Into Preseason
The Cavaliers preseason will offer a pretty clean first look at a roster that now has some real decisions attached to it. Cleveland is slated for three exhibition games in 2026, including a home meeting with the Orlando Magic on Oct. 11 that will air on ESPN, and a quick rematch in Orlando two nights later on Peacock, with training camp set for Spain from Sept. 30 through Oct. 5 before the group heads into game action.
For a team trying to sort through new pieces and a deeper rotation, the biggest storyline may not be the results so much as who gets the early opportunities. Peyton Watson is set to make his debut, and the Cavs recent transactions only add to the sense that this fall could be about more than just shaking off rust before the regular season opener on Oct. 22. [Read more 🡒]