The Cleveland Cavaliers entered last offseason in a difficult position after winning 64 games in 2024/25. They quickly dispatched the Heat in a four-game sweep but looked overmatched against the Pacers. Owner Dan Gilbert has shown a willingness to spend when he believes the team can contend.
What happened?
The Cavaliers made some moves around the edges last summer, adding Tyrese Proctor and Saliou Niang in the draft. They prioritized re-signing Sam Merrill over Ty Jerome and traded Isaac Okoro for Lonzo Ball. Darius Garland underwent surgery on his toe after injuring it in the 2025 playoffs.
Why it matters for Cleveland Cavaliers
Garland's injury affected his performance, and he seemed bothered by it until mid-December. The Cavaliers pulled the plug on the Garland/Mitchell pairing in February, trading Garland to the Clippers for James Harden. They also dumped Ball's salary to Utah and dealt De'Andre Hunter to Sacramento in a three-team deal.
What comes next?
The Cavaliers' regular season results in 2025/26 were inconsistent, but they closed the season on a high note, going 30-11 in the second half. They finished with a 52-30 record and earned the No. 4 seed in the East. The Cavaliers emerged victorious in the first round against Toronto and the second round against the Pistons. However, they were swept by the Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals.
| Date | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-03-10 | Milwaukee Bucks | 100-112 |
The Cavaliers were quick to point out that making the Eastern Conference finals was another incremental step toward their goal of winning. With a strong core and recent form of 4W-0D-0L, the team is poised for a comeback. Last result: Milwaukee Bucks 100-112 Cleveland Cavaliers (2025-03-10). Recent form: 4W-0D-0L, on a 4-game winning run.