After a disappointing finish last year, the Cleveland Cavaliers made some minor changes and enter the 2025-26 season touted as one of the front-runners in the Eastern Conference.
The Cavaliers were eliminated in the conference semifinals by the Indiana Pacers after posting a 64-18 record during the regular season. They cruised through the Miami Heat in the first round but ran out of gas, with multiple players dealing with injuries.
The front office lost sharpshooter Ty Jerome in free agency, but traded Isaac Okoro to the Chicago Bulls for Lonzo Ball. The team re-signed guard Sam Merrill and brought back Larry Nancy Jr. and selected Tyrese Proctor with the 49th pick in the draft.
The Cavaliers are expected to be without Darius Garland (toe) and Max Strus (foot) to begin the season. Garland is progressing in his rehab but likely won’t be ready for the start of the season, while Strus will be out 3-4 months after undergoing surgery on Aug. 26.
With the team opening training camp on Sept. 30, Rookie Wire examined the Cavaliers’ depth chart and offered an early projection of the starters and backups entering the season.
PGDarius Garland: $39,466,090Lonzo Ball: $10,000,000Craig Porter Jr.: $2,221,677SGDonovan Mitchell: $46,394,100Sam Merrill: $8,482,144Max Strus: $15,936,452SFDe’Andre Hunter: $23,303,571Jaylon Tyson: $3,492,480Tyrese Proctor: $1,272,870PFEvan Mobley: $46,394,100Dean Wade: $6,623,456CJarrett Allen: $20,000,000Larry Nance Jr.: $2,296,274Two-Way ContractsNae’Qwan TomlinLuke Travers
Cavaliers salary information via Spotrac