The Cleveland Cavaliers are looking for answers after a difficult end to their season, culminating in a 93-130 loss to the New York Knicks on May 26, 2026. Their recent form shows a five-game losing streak, making lineup experimentation for next season a priority. One specific five-man closing group could provide the spark they need.
What is the proposed closing lineup?
The suggested unit is Donovan Mitchell at point guard, Sam Merrill at shooting guard, James Harden at small forward, Peyton Watson at power forward, and Evan Mobley at center. This group prioritizes shooting, switchable defense, and creating driving lanes. Sam Merrill's presence as a premier shooter is non-negotiable for clutch situations. He spaces the floor and is consistently in the right position.
Having your best shooter on the court for key triples is ideal. Merrill also takes charges. His gravity opens everything up for the primary ball-handlers.
Why would this lineup work for the Cavaliers?
Defensive versatility is the foundation. Evan Mobley and Peyton Watson provide incredible length and the ability to switch on the perimeter. Both can also space the floor, which prevents the paint from getting clogged. This creates wide-open driving lanes for Donovan Mitchell or James Harden to attack the rim.
Harden, listed at the three for his size, can interchange with Merrill. His playmaking with two quick, athletic bigs in pick-and-roll actions will generate open shots consistently. Watson's presence at the four also allows Harden to use his quick hands for steals against drivers. Mitchell remains the offensive engine who can excel with any group.
This lineup wouldn't be for starting games. It's designed as a specialized closing group to overwhelm opponents in crunch time. If height becomes a concern, a simple swap of Jarrett Allen for Sam Merrill using the standard starting five is an easy adjustment. You can track the team's roster construction on our [squad](/squad) page.
What challenges did last season's lineups present?
Last season featured some questionable combinations. Trying Craig Porter Jr. As the starting small forward for a few games was a notable example. In theory, his athleticism fit, but the reality was a lack of size and poor floor spacing. Things got too tight offensively.
Head coach Kenny Atkinson also assembled some brilliant five-man units, however. With the new roster makeup, there's logic in testing this specific closing group. The Cavaliers enter next season with incredible depth, offering Atkinson plenty of options. After losing their last five games, finding a reliable finishing group is important.
What's the call to action for the coaching staff?
The message to Kenny Atkinson is clear: try this group when it matters. For all the debatable choices he has made, he's also made brilliant ones. Testing this five-man unit in high-use moments could be exactly what the team needs to light a fire. Cleveland has the personnel. Now it's about deployment. Making this happen could turn close losses into wins. Check how the team stacks up statistically on our [stats](/stats) page as they prepare for a new campaign.
