The Cleveland Cavaliers’ backcourt is built around two proven stars, and the team spent the offseason making sure both were locked in for the long haul.
Donovan Mitchell signed a four-year extension, and Cleveland did not rush its next move after that. The Cavaliers waited before adding Peyton Watson, then James Harden agreed to a deal shortly after.
Harden is one of the newer faces in Cleveland after arriving at the trade deadline. The Cavaliers sent out Darius Garland and a draft pick, and Harden played 26 regular-season games for his new team.
What followed was a stretch in which Harden and Mitchell worked to settle in together and keep the Cavaliers moving in the right direction. Mitchell was already rolling before the trade, and he kept that level up afterward.
The seven-time All-Star put together his season high against the Washington Wizards, pouring in 48 points. He did it efficiently, shooting 54.8 percent from the field and 53.3 percent from 3-point range. Cleveland won that game, one of two added to the schedule after being eliminated from the NBA Cup, and Mitchell’s performance stood out as a strong statement before he carried that momentum through the rest of the season.
Harden had his own big night in a Cavaliers uniform against the Chicago Bulls. He scored 36 points and came close to a triple-double with nine assists and seven rebounds. Cleveland took that one 115-110, a meaningful win with Mitchell sidelined by a bruised left eye.
That game also showed how well the rest of the group can click around him. Evan Mobley finished with 26 points and 14 rebounds, while Jaylon Tyson and Sam Merrill added their share.
Four starters reached double figures, and Dean Wade, though he did not score, grabbed seven rebounds. Harden’s fit with the roster helped Cleveland get to the Eastern Conference Finals.
At 37, Harden is still chasing a title, and the 36-point game against the Bulls stands as his best in a Cavaliers uniform. During his time with the Los Angeles Clippers, he also had a 55-point game against the Charlotte Hornets.
Mitchell and Harden both bring plenty of playoff mileage, but neither has won a championship yet. The Eastern Conference got tougher over the offseason, which means the road ahead is steeper. Still, if both guards keep producing and Mobley and Watson keep giving Cleveland real help, the Cavaliers remain in the mix.
The path to a championship is there. If Harden and Mitchell keep delivering at a high level, Cleveland can keep pushing toward it.
In Other News...
Cavaliers Just Sent Another Clear Message About Rocket Arenas Future
The Cavaliers have added another piece to their growing footprint around downtown Cleveland, buying a former bar at 721 Bolivar Road in the Gateway District for $1 million. The property sits in an area that has become increasingly important to the teams long-term planning, especially as Rocket Arena and the surrounding blocks continue to draw attention beyond game nights.
The purchase also fits a broader pattern around the district, where nearby property moves by the Guardians have helped signal how much value teams now place on controlling the land around their venues. After a season that kept the Cavaliers in the conversation and with the next one on the horizon, the latest acquisition only adds to the sense that the organization is thinking well beyond the court and into what comes next for the building and its neighborhood. [Read more 🡒]
Cavs Added A Wild Card For Their Crowded Bench Rotation
The Cavaliers have added another name to an already crowded bench picture, signing Mario Hezonja to a one-year, non-guaranteed contract as training camp competition starts to take shape. It is the kind of low-risk move that gives Cleveland another experienced option to sort through while the team tries to settle the back end of its rotation, and Hezonja will have a chance to earn a spot if he can prove he belongs.
For a team that has spent the offseason balancing depth, fit and flexibility, the signing fits the broader search for help around the edges of the roster. The Cavaliers are not handing out a guaranteed role, but they are giving themselves another look at a player who could make the bench conversation more complicated if he finds his footing quickly. [Read more 🡒]
Cavs Last Roster Spot Suddenly Carries More Weight Than Expected
With training camp drawing closer, the Cavaliers last few roster decisions have taken on more importance than a typical end-of-summer cleanup. Cleveland waived forward Cam Whitmore and now has two guaranteed contracts left to hand out, all while working with limited salary cap space and trying to strengthen the frontcourt depth behind its core.
One option under consideration is Saliou Niang, a 2025 second-round pick whose rights the Cavaliers control. Niang has spent time playing overseas and is also tied up with LSU and international competition, which adds another layer to a front office already sorting through timing, availability and fit. For a team still looking to add size before camp opens, the final move may end up being less about filling a seat and more about finding the right kind of big man at the right moment. [Read more 🡒]