EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe Cavaliers quietly re-tooled much of their roster beyond their core four -- Donovan Mitchell, whom they signed to a four-year, $273M extension; James Harden, whom they signed to a new three-year $97M deal; Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.They lost longtime guard Max Strus and forward Dean Wade but traded for 3-and-D wing Peyton Watson, who the team hopes can shore up a porous perimeter defense and signed a four-year, $88M contract. After losing in the first round in 2022-2023, the second round in 2023-2024 and 2024-2025, and then the conference finals last season, the next step is obvious for the Cavaliers and their core. The question is: Do they have the personnel to make it?ESPN's staff of experts is looking back at the offseason and taking an early look at the 2026-27 season, with 30 previews -- one for every team -- rolling out each weekday through Sept. 18. We're answering the biggest looming questions, evaluating X factors and much more.Quick links:Roster | Depth chart | TransactionsMore Cavaliers coverage | More NBAOffseason at a glanceKey additions: Peyton Watson, Mario HezonjaKey subtractions: Dean Wade, Dennis Schroder, Max Strus, Larry Nance Jr., Caris Levert, Keon EllisKey retentions: Donovan Mitchell, James HardenThe Cavs' failed pursuit of LeBron James this summer turned into a pivot for a younger, athletic wing, prying Watson from the Nuggets after a career-year.Watson averaged career highs in points, rebounds, assists and steals while shooting 41% from 3 last year, and he has in recent years been one of the strongest wing defenders in the league. That makes him a strong complement next to James Harden and Donovan Mitchell, as the Cavs hope he can provide a substantial answer to the elusive fifth starter role next to their core four. -- Jamal CollierZach Kram's offseason grade: BThe Cavaliers' offseason effectively boiled down to the Peyton Watson sign-and-trade, as they dealt a bunch of their 2025-26 depth -- most notably Max Strus -- for the ability to fit Watson onto their cap sheet. They also re-signed James Harden to a new three-year deal, which might not age well but helped them escape the second apron.Those are risky but necessary moves for a team that wants to win now; the the 23-year-old Watson increases Cleveland's championship upside due to his potential as an athletic 3-and-D wing. -- KramWhat we learned over the past few monthsFrom Ben Golliver's offseason lessons piece: Donovan Mitchell won the summer.Cleveland was in the middle of the action this summer with LeBron James weighing another homecoming to Ohio and giving James Harden a new three-year deal. Given those developments, it might be easy to overlook the fact that Mitchell signed a four-year, $273 million contract extension earlier this month. That's an enormous amount of cash.Mitchell, 29, is firmly in his prime, earning All-NBA second team honors and finishing seventh in MVP voting last season. And even though Cleveland was swept out of the playoffs by the New York Knicks, Mitchell did reach the conference finals for the first time in his nine-year career.But the size of Mitchell's new contract probably deserves more scrutiny than it has received. The seven-time All-Star is set to earn more than $60 million in 2027-28. By comparison, Knicks guard Jalen Brunson, a more accomplished player, will earn $40.5 million.Mitchell is currently on pace to be a top-10 earner once his new extension kicks in, but his deal will run through his age-34 season. Shouldn't his $75.5 million player option for the 2030-31 season make the Cavaliers a little squeamish?If Mitchell were a better defender or an elite playmaker for his teammates, these numbers might be easier to stomach. As it stands, Cleveland's decision to pay him top dollar feels a bit ominous. -- GolliverThe big question: How will the team benefit from a full season from James Harden?During Cleveland's run to the Eastern Conference Finals last year, it was easy to forget the team had dramatically re-shaped their roster just a few months earlier, adding Harden to the mix at the deadline in February.Harden reiterated several times during the postseason that he was learning on the fly, so he will presumably benefit from having a full offseason and camp.The Cavs hope it will result in added pick-and-roll chemistry with their bigs, smoother symmetry with Mitchell and more productive bench units with him running the show. -- CollierPost-free agency Power Rankings: Cavaliers are 8Summer Forecast: Projecting Cleveland's 2026-27Basketball Power Index rank: No. 11Here are the predicted Net Points per 100 possessions for the Wizards' top seven players for the 2026-27 season.As a rule of thumb, defenses should aim to stop the opponent's best player, as opposed to stopping the supporting cast.But now the Cavs have two players who play dramatically better in wins versus losses.Harden is 7.5 net points better in wins than losses (fourth-biggest change) and Mitchell is 6.5 better (13th), implying that stopping both is important and a more difficult challenge for defenses. -- Dean OliverRead about how Net Points works here.Biggest X factorG Jaylon TysonWith Max Strus, Dean Wade, Keon Ellis and Dennis Schroder all departing over the summer and only Peyton Watson arriving as an external replacement, the Cavaliers will be relying on more internal help to backfill their production on the wing.Tyson should be the second man up behind Watson, after he averaged a strong 13.2 points in 26.9 minutes per game in his sophomore season, while making 45% of his 3s.Tyson fell to the fringes of the rotation in the playoffs, however, where he averaged only 4.1 points in 12.7 minutes per game. The former first-round pick needs to improve his consistency and reliability in big games, but in theory, his 3-and-D abilities would make him a perfect role player amid Cleveland's star-studded lineup. -- KramBetting insight from our expertBet to make ahead of the season: Cavaliers to qualify for conference semifinals (+125); to win Central Division (+195)The Cavaliers were the top seed in the Eastern Conference two seasons ago after winning 64 games with a plus-9.5 PPG scoring margin.Last season, after a down regular season due in part by injuries to point guard Darius Garland, the Cavaliers rode the late-season trade of Garland for James Harden and played their way to the Eastern Conference Finals.While the Eastern Conference as a whole got stronger this offseason, the Cavaliers should return a team with the same key players who have demonstrated the capacity for success in both the regular season and playoffs.To be able to bet them -- at plus money - to make it a round earlier than they made it last season, is good value, even in the new Eastern Conference. -- Andr SnellingsOdds by DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publication.
