With the 2026 NBA trade deadline looming on February 5 at 3 p.m. ET, front offices across the league are working the phones.
This is the time of year when contenders look to bolster their rosters and lottery-bound teams try to retool for the future. But if you're waiting for the Cleveland Cavaliers to make a splash, you might be waiting a while.
According to reports, the Cavs are staying relatively quiet despite receiving calls. There’s been interest around the league in De’Andre Hunter - last year’s big midseason acquisition - but his current struggles have cooled expectations.
Statistically, he’s having one of the roughest stretches of his career, still trying to find his rhythm in a new role that hasn’t quite clicked yet. That hasn’t stopped teams from kicking the tires, but Cleveland doesn’t seem in a rush to move him.
Dean Wade, a pending free agent, has also drawn attention. His defensive versatility and ability to stretch the floor make him a natural fit for teams looking for rotation help down the stretch.
And yes, rival executives have asked about the possibility of Cleveland breaking up its Core Four - Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen. So far, that door remains firmly shut.
Cleveland’s front office isn’t interested in a teardown or even a major shake-up. Internally, there’s still a strong belief in the roster’s potential - and that belief is rooted in more than just hope.
The team is finally inching toward full health. Garland is nearing a return from a toe injury.
Max Strus, still working his way back from offseason foot surgery, is expected to rejoin the rotation soon. And second-year forward Jaylon Tyson has started to carve out a real role, giving the Cavs another dynamic piece on the wing.
This is a team that wants to see what it looks like at full strength before making any big decisions. And with how things have been trending lately, it’s hard to blame them.
Despite a rocky start to the season, Cleveland has found its footing. They’ve gone 7-3 over their last 10 games, pushing their record to 28-20.
Quietly, they’re climbing back into the thick of the Eastern Conference race. It’s a reminder of the team that finished with the best record in the East just a season ago - and a sign that they may be rounding into form at just the right time.
It also helps that they’re doing this with the league’s most expensive roster. The Cavaliers are the only team currently operating above the second apron, and owner Dan Gilbert is footing a hefty bill to keep this group together. That kind of financial commitment signals belief - not just in the talent, but in the long-term vision.
Still, the postseason will ultimately tell the story. This core - Mitchell, Mobley, Garland, and Allen - has yet to push past the second round.
That’s the next hurdle. If they fall short again come spring, then the front office might have to take a harder look at reshaping the roster in the offseason.
For now, though, Cleveland’s betting on continuity. And with the East as wide open as it’s been in years, that might be the smartest play on the board.