The Cavaliers' Big Swing
The Cleveland Cavaliers have been linked to free agents Peyton Watson and Jonathan Kuminga, but does either player move the team to at least neck-and-neck with the champion New York Knicks and the revamped Philadelphia 76ers? The answer is a resounding no. The Cavs are in win-now mode, and they need to do something to take that next step in the East.
What's at Stake?
The Cavaliers' recent form has been dismal, with a last result of 93-130 against the New York Knicks on May 26, 2026. They've lost their last five games, with a record of 0W-0D-5L (LLLLL, most recent first). Adding a player of Anthony Davis' caliber would be a significant boost to their chances of making a deep playoff run.
The Davis Trade
A proposed framework for landing Davis in Cleveland involves the Cavaliers receiving Anthony Davis and the Washington Wizards receiving Jarrett Allen, Max Strus, Sam Merrill, and a 2031 first-round pick. The key point to consider is that Davis could be the difference between the Cavaliers getting bounced in the second round and making the Finals for the first time in franchise history without LeBron James.
Why It Matters for Cleveland Cavaliers
The potential payoff of a Finals run is worth taking the risk. With Harden still playing at a high level and Mitchell at the peak of his career, is this really the time for Cleveland to play it safe? The answer is no. The Cavaliers need to take a chance on a player like Davis to truly contend for a title.
What Comes Next?
When Davis last had some level of stability in his career, he was averaging close to 26 points and 12 rebounds per game playing for a Los Angeles Lakers team expected to contend for a championship. Davis is 33 and perhaps not as good as he was just two or three years ago, but with Davis instead of Allen, the Cavaliers would truly contend for a title. The question is, are they willing to take the risk to make it happen?
