It was a successful season last year for the Cleveland Cavaliers as they finished with the best record in the Eastern Conference, though they were unable to make it past the second round of the playoffs.
Cleveland will now enter the new season looking to secure a top seed in the East once again and make a deep playoff run behind their core of Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Darius Garland.
Advertisement
Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson speaks with Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10)© Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
The Cavaliers also made some notable additions to their roster this offseason as they signed Larry Nance Jr. in free agency and acquired Lonzo Ball from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Isaac Okoro, though they did lose Ty Jerome in free agency.
With these moves, the Cavaliers are looking to make a championship run this season, though they may also look to make some moves ahead of the trade deadline to upgrade their roster.
If that is the case, they could target these three players ahead of the deadline.
Advertisement
Kelly Oubre Jr.
Philadelphia 76ers guard Kelly Oubre Jr (9)Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
It has been reported that the Philadelphia 76ers are looking to move Kelly Oubre Jr. and the Cavaliers could be a potential trade suitor for him.
Oubre Jr. is a great scorer and solid defender who would give Cleveland a solid two-way wing off the bench behind De’Andre Hunter.
It would also likely not cost Cleveland a ton to acquire the veteran forward who could be a key piece off the bench for them this season.
Malik Monk
Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
With the loss of Jerome this offseason, the Cavaliers are in need of a solid scoring guard off the bench despite dealing for Ball.
Advertisement
Due to this, they could target Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk, who is coming off the best season of his career, primarily on the offensive end.
Monk is a great scorer and has also improved his playmaking skills who could become a key piece off the bench for the Cavaliers if they are able to land him from the Kings.
Duop Reath
Portland Trail Blazers center Duop Reath (26)Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
While the pair of Mobley and Jarrett Allen has been great for Cleveland, they do lack center depth despite adding Nance Jr. this summer.
Advertisement
Because of this, they could look to add another big man this season and Duop Reath of the Portland Trail Blazers could be a potential cheap option for them.
The 29-year-old center is a solid scorer and rebounder who would be able to bolster Cleveland’s frontcourt depth this season.
While the Cavaliers could target all three of these players, they could look elsewhere to bolster their roster as they try to make a run at a title this season.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Sep 16, 2025, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.