Cavaliers Enter Offseason With Numerous Questions
The Cavaliers’ season came to a close on Monday night, losing to the Knicks 130-93 in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Finals. Cleveland was never able to recover after blowing a 22-point fourth-quarter lead in Game One. Despite the bad ending, this is the farthest the Cavaliers have advanced in the playoffs since 2018. But with the highest payroll in the league (and the only team over the NBA’s second apron), the goal is not to just make the conference finals, but to win a championship.
Despite some head-scratching decisions and comments during the series, it has been reported that coach Kenny Atkinson will return for a third season in Cleveland. This takes a coaching change off the board, despite Jason Kidd recently parting ways with the Mavericks. The Cavaliers also have a head coaching candidate in-house in assistant coach Johnnie Bryant. While Atkinson will return, the pressure will most certainly be on in year three.
Perhaps the biggest domino on the roster is the status of Donovan Mitchell. Mitchell is entering the last year of his contract (he does have a player option for the following season) and is eligible for an extension starting July 7th. He is coming off back-to-back All-NBA seasons, having recently been named second team All-NBA after making the first team in 2024-2025. Despite trade rumors, Mitchell has repeatedly stated his desire to remain in Cleveland. It is unclear what sort of value the Cavaliers could get in return, but it’s possible that they at least investigate. He does turn 30 in September, so any extension would keep him in Wine and Gold until his mid-thirties.
The next question on the Cavaliers roster is James Harden. Harden holds a player option for next season at $42.3 million dollars. It is expected that Harden will not exercise the option and negotiate an extension to give the Cavaliers more financial flexibility. When Harden and Mitchell both played, the Cavaliers had a 16-6 record and had the highest offensive efficiency in the league. Harden’s flaws were exposed in the playoffs,s though. He did make an effort defensively, but was still hunted by opposing teams at times. Bringing Harden back on a multi-year deal definitely helps the Cavaliers during the regular season. He is a consistent and durable player. But much like Darius Garland, his flaws are exposed every spring during the playoffs.
If there is a move to be made on the margins, it may involve Jarrett Allen. Next season, Allen’s three-year, 90.72 million extension kicks in. He had some big games in the first two rounds, including 23 points in Game Seven against Detroit. While he is not without flaws, his stock will probably never be higher. At 28 years old, he may be a fit for a team in need of a starting center. Of the two starting frontcourt players, it is more likely that the Cavaliers trade Allen than Evan Mobley. Unless…
The Cavaliers have also been linked to the Milwaukee Bucks and Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Bucks are reportedly looking for draft picks and a young franchise player in return for Antetokounmpo. Mobley would certainly fit the bill, but the Cavaliers may not have the draft capital needed to pair with Mobley to land the former MVP from the Bucks. Cleveland is only able to trade one of the two of its 2031 and 2032 first-round draft picks. Stranger things have happened, though. Nobody expected the Cavaliers to trade for Mitchell in 2022. Koby Altman also traded Kyrie Irving to the Celtics months after taking over for David Griffin in 2017.
The Cavaliers also have decisions to make further down the depth chart. Max Strus is entering the last year of his contract and is eligible for an extension after the NBA finals. He missed most of the season due to injury, but returned towards the end of the season. He had some strong games in the first two rounds of the playoffs. Dean Wade and Keon Ellis are both free agents. Wade has been a great developmental story for the Cavaliers, having started his career in the G League and eventually moving into a starting role. Wade does have Bird rights, so the Cavaliers can exceed the apron to re-sign him.
Craig Porter Jr. has a club option for next season. Porter Jr.’s playing time diminished after the additions of Ellis, Harden and the return of Strus. His option is only for a little over two million dollars, but with the Cavaliers financially strapped its not a forgone conclusion that it is picked up. Larry Nance Jr. and Thomas Bryant are both unrestricted free agents. Nance Jr. never played a huge role and could be headed for retirement. If he is brought back, it would likely just be on a minimum contract for a mentor role. Bryant always brought energy off the bench but was used sparingly.
The Cavaliers series against the Knicks exposed their long-time weakness- perimeter defense. Whether it be James Harden or Darius Garland sharing the backcourt with Donovan Mitchell, the Cavaliers get tormented by opposing guards and wings. Cleveland also seemed to never have an answer for OG Anunoby. Despite dealing with a hamstring injury, he was able to muscle his way into the paint numerous times. Acquiring a big, physical wing could help offset Mitchell and Harden’s defensive liabilities. Jaylon Tyson should also be given every opportunity to grow into a bigger role, especially if the Cavs lose Wade in free agency. He was gradually eased out of the playoff rotation, another somewhat curious decision by Atkinson.
This is shaping up to be one of the most interesting offseasons in Cavaliers history. That is without even mentioning the possibility of Lebron James returning to Northeast Ohio. After keeping the same core (minus swapping Garland for Harden) for the better part of five seasons, it is expected that there will be at a minimum a retooling of the roster. It has been a pleasure to see this group of players go from making the play-in to the second round and now the conference finals. It is now on General Manager Koby Altman to clear the final hurdle and bring the Cavaliers back to the NBA finals.
