The Cleveland Cavaliers still have work to do this offseason, and James Harden is giving them the space to do it.
After coming up short on a LeBron James homecoming, Cleveland is focused on the next wave of moves that could push the roster forward. The Cavaliers did make a real step in 2026, reaching the Eastern Conference Finals before getting swept by the New York Knicks. It was a rough ending, but it still marked progress from the season before.
A big part of the offseason conversation has centered on Harden’s next contract. For now, that deal remains unsigned, and the delay appears tied to Cleveland’s broader roster plans. Harden wants to stay with the Cavaliers, but he also wants the team to be in position to make a serious title run.
That means Cleveland has been exploring ways to add more help, especially on the wing. Jonathan Kuminga and Peyton Watson have both been mentioned as possible answers to the Cavaliers’ small forward issues.
“I think that could happen relatively soon. The question is gonna be: is it a two-year deal, a three-year deal?
What the structure looks like is gonna determine what the money looks like. But the Cavs are still poking around with Peyton Watson, and I think that's why James has given them a lot of room to negotiate,” ESPN's Ramona Shelbourne revealed on NBA Today.
For Cleveland, landing either Kuminga or Watson would count as a major win. Watson brings a more complicated path because of the sign-and-trade element, but the Cavaliers are clearly looking for anyone who can fit and help them keep climbing in an Eastern Conference that has gotten much stronger.
In Other News...
James Hardens Delay Could Open The Door To A Bigger Cavs Move
James Harden still has not re-signed with Cleveland, and the hold-up appears to be more than simple paperwork. Reports suggest the delay is being used to preserve the Cavaliers flexibility as they navigate the rest of their offseason, with the veteran guard having already declined his player option for the 2026-27 season and the sides still sorting through the length and salary of a new deal.
Peyton Watson remains the name to watch on the other side of that maneuvering, and the market around him may be shifting in Clevelands favor. The Cavaliers are weighing a sign-and-trade path for the Denver forward, and Denvers asking price is said to have come down to a quality rotation player plus a first-round pick, a more manageable framework if Cleveland decides Hardens next contract should leave room for a bigger swing. [Read more 🡒]
Cavs Still Have A Plan B But It Comes With A Catch
The Cavaliers still have room to maneuver with two roster spots open, and the front office is working through a summer that has already featured a few different paths. One of them points overseas, where Cleveland is trying to bring in Mario Hezonja, while another is tied to the expected arrival of James Harden as the team looks to keep its roster flexible and competitive around the edges.
The catch is the same one that keeps following the Cavs this time of year: money. Cleveland has also shown interest in DeMar DeRozan, Peyton Watson and Jonathan Kuminga, but the luxury tax makes it hard to chase the kind of contract those names can command. Talks with Kuminga's camp are still ongoing as the Cavs try to see whether there is a workable structure, which leaves them balancing ambition against the reality of what they can actually fit under the cap. [Read more 🡒]
Cavs Still Have One Roster Question Fans Cant Ignore
The Cavaliers offseason puzzle still has one piece fans cant quite stop circling: the wing spot. Even after adding Mario Hezonja earlier this month, Cleveland is not planning to waive him, and the expectation is that he will be part of the regular rotation. At the same time, the front office continues to keep tabs on possible additions such as DeMar DeRozan, Jonathan Kuminga and Peyton Watson, which tells you the search for more size and scoring on the perimeter is still very much alive.
The challenge, of course, is figuring out how far the Cavs are willing to go to make another move. A deal for Kuminga or Watson would likely require a sign-and-trade, and Cleveland has been reluctant to part with rotation players or major draft assets. So while the roster is mostly set, the lingering question is whether the Cavs are content to let this group take shape as is or still have one more swing left before camp. [Read more 🡒]