Struggling Offseason for Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers have had a rough offseason, with a D+ grade from NBA analyst Andy Bailey. The team lost Dean Wade to the Philadelphia 76ers and failed to re-sign LeBron James, who instead signed with the 76ers. This has left the Cavaliers with a depleted roster and a lot of work to do before the start of the next season.
What Happened?
The Cavaliers' offseason was marked by a series of losses, including the departure of Dean Wade and the failure to re-sign LeBron James. This has left the team with a lot of uncertainty and a lot of work to do before the start of the next season. The team's core remains the same, with James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen all still on board. However, the loss of Wade and the failure to re-sign James has left a big hole in the team's lineup.
Why it Matters for Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavaliers' offseason has been marked by a series of losses, including the departure of Dean Wade and the failure to re-sign LeBron James. This has left the team with a lot of uncertainty and a lot of work to do before the start of the next season. The team's core remains the same, but can they overcome the hump next season? The Cavaliers did sign Mario Hezonja after LeBron went to the 76ers, but it remains to be seen if this will be enough to turn the team's fortunes around.
What Comes Next?
The Cavaliers will look to re-sign James Harden and add some depth to their roster before the start of the next season. They are also reportedly interested in Jonathan Kuminga, who could provide a much-needed boost to the team's lineup. The biggest move the Cavaliers made this summer was signing Donovan Mitchell to a massive extension, a four-year, $273 million maximum contract extension. Mitchell agreed to this deal after the Cavaliers acquired him from the Utah Jazz in 2022. He is averaging 26.7 points per game in the regular season and 27.3 points per game in the playoffs in a Cleveland uniform. A seven-time All-Star, Mitchell led the Cavaliers to the Eastern Conference Finals last season. It was the first time Cleveland made the conference finals since 1992 without LeBron, but the New York Knicks swept the Cavaliers en route to winning the championship against the San Antonio Spurs. Without LeBron, the Cavaliers' core remains the same: Harden, Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen. We'll see if that core can get over the hump next season.
The Cavaliers' rookie Meleek Thomas, who they grabbed in the second round, has shown promise in summer league, averaging 27.2 points in 29.0 minutes. This could be a bright spot for the team, but it remains to be seen if it will be enough to turn the team's fortunes around. The Cavaliers will look to build on this momentum and make some key additions to their roster before the start of the next season.
Last result: Cleveland Cavaliers 93-130 New York Knicks (2026-05-26). Recent form (last 5): 0W-0D-5L (LLLLL, most recent first); lost the last 5.
