The Cleveland Cavaliers left Madison Square Garden on Christmas Day with more questions than answers — and around the NBA, those questions are increasingly tied to the trade deadline.
Cleveland’s 126–124 collapse against the New York Knicks, in which the Cavaliers squandered both a 15-point lead and a 17-point advantage in the fourth quarter, only intensified league-wide scrutiny on a roster that many executives believe is drifting toward a crossroads.
As reported by DallasHoopsJournal.com, there is a growing belief around the NBA that Cleveland may need to make a significant move if its current trajectory does not stabilize soon.
A Loss That Echoed Beyond the Scoreboard
The Cavaliers appeared poised for a season-shaping win after building a 107–91 lead with eight minutes remaining. Instead, New York’s bench flipped the game entirely. Mitchell Robinson dominated the offensive glass, Jordan Clarkson caught fire, and Tyler Kolek delivered one of his most impactful stretches of the season.
Consecutive offensive rebounds by Robinson led to multiple Knicks 3-pointers, slicing the deficit to six in a matter of possessions. Kolek hit three triples in the fourth quarter, while Clarkson scored seven of his 25 points during the comeback.
“Our bench basically won the game for us,” Knicks coach Mike Brown said. “They put us in position down the stretch.”
For Cleveland, it was another example of a familiar problem: late-game execution breaking down against physical, resilient opponents.
The loss also spoiled the return of Evan Mobley, who had missed two weeks with a calf strain, and one of the few games this season where Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell looked closer to their form from last season.
Yet even with both guards producing — Mitchell finished with 34 points — Cleveland could not close. Around the league, that has only sharpened ongoing evaluations of the Cavaliers’ roster balance.
As previously reported by DallasHoopsJournal.com, rival executives believe Cleveland may eventually have to choose between reshaping its core through a trade involving Garland and/or Jarrett Allen, or making a significant organizational change elsewhere if results continue to lag behind expectations.
NBA Trade Deadline Pressure Quietly Building
While no move is believed to be imminent, league sources have described Cleveland as a team “running out of margin.” The Cavaliers are under pressure to maximize Mitchell’s prime while avoiding stagnation in the middle of the Eastern Conference standings.
Garland, in particular, has been viewed by some teams as one of the most attractive potential point guards on the market due to his age, skill set, and perceived upside in a lead role — a dynamic that continues to draw quiet interest.
Meanwhile, Allen remains highly valued internally, making any decision involving him far more difficult unless an overwhelming offer materializes.
New York Knicks’ Comeback Only Adds Urgency
On the other side, New York leaned on resilience and physicality. Jalen Brunson scored 14 of his 34 points in the fourth quarter, knocking down six 3-pointers overall as the Knicks hit 21 triples at a 48% clip.
“We kept fighting,” Brunson said. “It starts with Tyler, JC and Mitch. They were the reason we won.”
For Cleveland, the contrast was stark. What New York framed as growth and accountability — sparked by Josh Hart challenging the bench to change games — underscored Cleveland’s ongoing struggle to find consistent answers when pressure mounts.
The Cavaliers are not in crisis, but moments like Christmas Day tend to accelerate league-wide conversations. With the Feb. 5 deadline approaching, rival front offices are watching closely to see whether Cleveland chooses patience, retooling, or a more aggressive reset.
For the Cavaliers, that decision may be coming sooner than expected.
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