The most obvious answer might be Jaylon Tyson, but that door is already partly open. He’s expected to have a bigger role this season, and he already made his mark a year ago by becoming a regular in the rotation and finishing sixth on the team in minutes.
So if the question is who could really break through this year, the conversation shifts elsewhere.
There are a few names in the mix. Craig Porter Jr., Tyrese Proctor and second-round rookie Meleek Thomas could all carve out space, though their opportunities may depend on what happens with veteran backup point guard Dennis Schroder. Sources tell cleveland.com the Cavs are still discussing trade packages involving Schroder as they look for a way to slightly reshape the roster or create financial flexibility, which would aid their pursuit of free agents Jonathan Kuminga and Peyton Watson.
But the more intriguing candidate may be Nae’Qwan Tomlin.
The Cavs have plenty of options at the 2 and 3, but Dean Wade’s undesired departure to Philadelphia in free agency left the frontcourt a little thinner. That’s part of why Cleveland signed 6-foot-9 forward Mario Hezonja and continues to show interest in Kuminga and Watson, both of whom can play up a position.
If the Cavs can’t land a sign-and-trade, and that remains a difficult path because of their lack of appealing assets and salary constraints, someone has to fill the backup power forward spot behind Mobley.
Tomlin looks like the cleanest fit.
The 25-year-old is one of the organization’s newer development wins, and last season he got his first real NBA run. In 15.7 minutes a night, he averaged 5.8 points and 2.9 rebounds while shooting 47.8% from the field and 23.5% from 3-point range.
Kenny Atkinson has repeatedly pointed to Tomlin’s energy, activity and tenacity. His jumper is still the big question, and that shot will probably decide how far he goes in the league, but the other traits give him a real chance to earn more trust in 2026-27. It also matters that he’s one of the few players on the roster who can handle the 4 without Cleveland sacrificing size and length.
That’s the key distinction here. Tyson, Sam Merrill and Max Strus are all better fits on the perimeter.
Tyson is 6-foot-6 and 215 pounds, Merrill is 6-foot-4, and Strus is 6-foot-5. Atkinson may still mix in small-ball looks and smaller lineups over the course of the 82-game season, but Cleveland may prefer to stay bigger this year to protect its defensive structure after Atkinson often leaned last season on speed, switchability, spacing and shooting.
If Tomlin doesn’t grab that backup 4 job, the alternative is Hezonja, who is trying to restart his NBA career after five years overseas.
And that leaves the bigger question hanging over both players: after the Cavs lost some options in free agency and missed on others, are either Tomlin or Hezonja ready for a meaningful role on a team with championship aspirations?
In Other News...
Cavs Starting Five Looks Real But One Spot Still Feels Unsettled
The Cavaliers projected first five looks strong on paper, with James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Max Strus, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen giving the roster plenty of size, scoring and experience if Harden is back on a new contract. But after an offseason that saw Cleveland lose several players and add Mario Hezonja, there is still some real sorting to do before opening night, especially on the wing where the team is trying to settle its rotation.
Small forward remains the clearest unfinished piece of the puzzle, and the Cavaliers are still working through their options there as the roster takes shape. There is also ongoing movement talk around the edges of the teams plans, with sign-and-trade possibilities and interest in other young forwards still part of the conversation, so the final version of this group may not be the one that heads into camp. [Read more 🡒]
Nuggets Enter Tough Race For A Proven Scorer They Could Need
The veteran scoring market got more interesting after Sacramento moved on from DeMar DeRozan, putting one of the leagues most proven perimeter options suddenly within reach. For a Cavaliers team always looking to sharpen its half-court offense and add a dependable shot-maker, the chance to get into that conversation is the kind of development front offices monitor quickly, especially with multiple contenders already checking in.
Cleveland is among the teams showing interest, but this is shaping up as a crowded chase, with Denver, Miami and Washington also in the mix. The Heat have been viewed as a leading candidate, which gives the Cavaliers plenty of reason to weigh how aggressive they want to be if they hope to land a scorer who is widely expected to be on a new team for the upcoming season. [Read more 🡒]
Kevin Love Could Deepen The Cavs Sting From LeBrons Latest Move
Kevin Loves next move is still up in the air, but the possibility of him landing in Philadelphia is enough to keep Cavaliers fans watching closely. ESPNs Dave McMenamin reported that Love is interested in joining the 76ers, a team that suddenly has even more national attention after LeBron James signed there recently. Love, who spent last season with the Utah Jazz, is weighing his options as he looks for the right fit for the next phase of his career.
The Sixers, though, may not have an easy path to making it happen. Philadelphias roster situation could complicate any pursuit, even with Love said to be on the teams radar, and there is still no deal in place. For Cleveland, the storyline is less about a direct move and more about the uncomfortable reminder of how closely Loves career remains tied to the LeBron orbit. [Read more 🡒]