Thomas Bryant has given the Cavs exactly the kind of veteran presence teams hope to find without having to go searching for it. Since arriving in Cleveland, he has brought energy, experience and a steady professional edge to a roster that valued all of it.
The case for Bryant as the team’s primary backup big starts with where he’s been. He came to the Cavs after an NBA Finals run with the Pacers, and before that he had already been through plenty of winning situations. He was on the Lakers when LeBron James broke the scoring record, spent time in Washington with Dwight Howard, won a title with the Nuggets, and was part of the Pacers’ improbable 2025 Finals run.
That background has mattered in Cleveland. Bryant arrived last year as an experienced veteran who was still not yet 30, and while his numbers were not at the level he posted in Washington, he still earned clear respect inside the locker room.
He gives the Cavs a floor-spacing big who can knock down the 3PT, and his work on the glass has been valuable. Even if his postseason minutes were limited, his regular-season determination was important.
Bryant averaged six points and three rebounds per game in his first season with the team, and it made sense for Cleveland to bring him back after the year ended. He offers more value than Tristan Thompson did, and he has shown he can get on the floor and contribute. Now 29, he still has plenty of quality basketball left.
There’s also the way he carries himself. Bryant has done a good job holding teammates accountable, and he does it by example. He has shown he can handle regular rotation minutes, and while the Cavs could still add another big, he has the inside track to be the main backup.
The roster setup helps his case. Nae’Qwan Tomlin is a bit small to be the center, which gives Bryant the first chance.
The team could still use its final roster spot on a wing instead of another center, and Ernest Udeh. Jr is on a two-way deal and could be called upon if needed.
Udeh’s rim protection in the Summer League was rather impressive.
For Cleveland, having Bryant in the mix is a pretty strong option. His skill set fits what the team needs, and there’s a good chance he’s in the rotation from day one. He’s earned that opportunity.
In Other News...
Cavs Are Closing In On A Move That Changes Daily Life
The Cavaliers are getting ready for a change that goes well beyond a new address. During the NBA All-Star break in February, the team plans to move into the Cleveland Clinic Global Peak Performance Center downtown, a facility that should give players and staff a far different day-to-day experience than the one theyve had in Independence.
The new building is expected to be significantly larger than the current practice site and come with multiple amenities designed around the needs of a modern NBA operation. Once the Cavs relocate, the Independence facility will take on a new role of its own, serving as the training home for the Cleveland Sirens, the WNBA expansion team set to begin play in 2028. [Read more 🡒]
Cavs Latest Roster Upgrade Came From A Twist Fans Didnt Expect
The Cavaliers latest roster shake-up took shape through a chain of events that had less to do with Cleveland than with the wider league market, and it gave the front office a little more room to operate than expected. In the process, the team moved on from Dennis Schroder and brought in Peyton Watson in a sign-and-trade with Denver, while Max Strus was sent to the Clippers as part of the same broader shuffle.
What made the opening possible was James Harden declining his player option and then signing a new deal later than anticipated, which created the kind of cap flexibility that can change a summer plan in a hurry. Harden has also reportedly been involved in recruiting Watson and has been active in team workouts, a detail that adds an unusual layer to a move Cleveland fans probably did not see coming when the offseason started. [Read more 🡒]
Cavaliers Suddenly Have A Real Path To The Easts Top Seed
The Cavaliers finished their offseason by adding two more pieces in James Harden and Peyton Watson, with Watson agreeing to a four-year deal, and it gives the roster a noticeably different look heading into the new season. Cleveland has been leaning into depth and athleticism around the core, with names like Mario Hezonja also part of the mix, and the front office seems to have built a group that can withstand the grind of the East better than it could a year ago.
What makes the conversation more interesting is how much of this comes down to fit as much as talent. The Cavaliers are not just collecting names, they are trying to stitch together a group that can settle in quickly, build chemistry and avoid the kind of uneven stretches that can cost a team in the standings. If the pieces come together the way Cleveland believes they can, the path to finishing atop the Eastern Conference suddenly looks more real than it did when the summer began. [Read more 🡒]