| News |
|---|
|
Lonzo Ball Lonzo Ball has 9/4/9 line in 20 minutes Tuesday
Tue, Oct 14, 2025, 3:52 PM
Lonzo Ball had nine points (3-of-5 FGs, 1-of-4 FTs), four rebounds, nine assists, three blocks and two three-pointers against the Pistons on Tuesday.
Analysis: Unfortunately for Ball, he's going to be on minutes restriction due to his injury history to begin the season. With Darius Garland (toe) possibly unavailable to start the year, Ball is an option to pick up the slack with 20 minutes off the bench at a time. While the minutes restriction undoubtedly caps Ball's fantasy upside, the Cavaliers' offense is good enough for him to produce. He showed as much by nearly recording a double-double in 20 minutes against the Pistons on Tuesday. Ball is a late-round flyer at best in fantasy basketball drafts. |
|
Evan Mobley Evan Mobley struggles with eight points Tuesday
Tue, Oct 14, 2025, 3:48 PM
Evan Mobley had eight points (3-of-13 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), six rebounds, five assists, three blocks and two steals against the Pistons on Tuesday.
Analysis: Mobley had just eight points on 13 attempts including missing all five of his three-point attempts. The 24-year-old center had 21 points in his last outing against the Bulls. It was just an off-night offensively for Mobley, who has made great strides with his offensive game. He still filled up the rest of the stat sheet. Mobley will look to bounce back on the opening night of the regular season as this was the Cavaliers' last preseason game. |
|
Donovan Mitchell Donovan Mitchell leads Cavs with 17 points Tuesday
Tue, Oct 14, 2025, 3:41 PM
Donovan Mitchell had 17 points (6-of-11 FGs, 2-of-3 FTs), two rebounds, three assists, three steals and three three-pointers in the Cavaliers' 118-100 victory over the Pistons on Tuesday.
Analysis: Coming off a 22-point game in his last outing against the Bulls, Mitchell picked up right where he left off by dropping 13 points in the first quarter. The 29-year-old shooting guard cooled off after that and ended up with five turnovers in 29 minutes. It was an uneven performance, but that's what the preseason is for. Mitchell is an excellent selection in the second round of fantasy basketball drafts this year. |
|
De'Andre Hunter De'Andre Hunter hits four triples Thursday vs. CHI
Thu, Oct 9, 2025, 4:51 PM
De'Andre Hunter amassed 20 points (6-of-12 FGs, 4-of-4 FTs), two rebounds, two assists, one steal, two blocks and four three-pointers on Thursday against the Bulls.
Analysis: On the heels of an efficient 17-point outing in 18 minutes on Tuesday, Hunter needed just 24 minutes of action to efficiently hit the 20-point mark on Thursday. The former veteran forward mainly utilized the three-point shot to find scoring production on Thursday, but also showed active hands on the defensive end to accumulate three stocks. Hunter was one of three Cavaliers starters to score in double figures on the night, and overall, he has performed well through limited preseason games. |
|
Donovan Mitchell Donovan Mitchell has 22/6/4/3/1 line in 25 minutes
Thu, Oct 9, 2025, 4:48 PM
Donovan Mitchell tallied 22 points (8-of-16 FGs, 3-of-3 FTs), six rebounds, four assists, three steals, one block and three three-pointers against the Bulls on Thursday.
Analysis: After playing 18 minutes and logging seven points on 3-of-5 shooting in Tuesday's preseason opener, Mitchell was much more aggressive in his minutes on Thursday. The superstar guard led all Cleveland players in field goal attempts en route to finishing as one of three Cavaliers starters to score at least 20 points. Mitchell was efficient both inside and outside the arc while racking up stocks on the defensive end. Off a stellar 2024-25 campaign, Mitchell will enter the 2025-26 season as a likely top-10 shooting guard in fantasy basketball drafts. |
|
Evan Mobley Evan Mobley tallies 21 points Thursday vs. Chicago
Thu, Oct 9, 2025, 4:45 PM
Evan Mobley notched 21 points (6-of-10 FGs, 8-of-10 FTs), five rebounds, four assists, two steals, two blocks, and one three-pointer on Thursday vs. the Bulls.
Analysis: Mobley showed off his versatility against the Bulls in his 26 minutes of game action. He needed just 10 shots to eclipse the 20-point mark, while tying a team-high in assists and being active on the defensive end. Thursday's performance marked the second of the preseason in which the reigning Defensive Player of the Year had a positive impact on both ends of the floor. He should be in store for another stellar fantasy basketball season. |
|
Evan Mobley Mobley turns in 12/6/2/1/1 line vs. Bulls
Tue, Oct 7, 2025, 4:11 PM
Evan Mobley contributed 12 points (5-of-10 FGs), six rebounds, two assists, one steal, one block and two three-pointers in a 118-117 loss to the Bulls on Tuesday.
Analysis: In his first game of the preseason the reigning Defensive Player of the Year was able to quickly make an impact on both ends of the floor. The defense was expected, but his continued improvement as a floor spacer has just made him even more dynamic. Mobley has been a fantasy monster for multiple seasons, but he still has more room to grow. |
|
Craig Porter Porter Jr. tallies 17/4/4/2 line vs. Chicago
Tue, Oct 7, 2025, 4:02 PM
Craig Porter Jr. provided a boost off the bench with 17 points (6-of-9 FGs), four rebounds, four assists, two steals and five three-pointers against the Bulls on Tuesday.
Analysis: Porter Jr. has long been a dynasty sleeper, and when he's gotten the opportunity to play big minutes, he has been productive. His biggest weakness has been his deep-range shooting, but he showed improvement by making all five of his three-point attempts in this one. It's too early to say that he's made a genuine leap, but it's worth keeping an eye on, since he has the potential to be a fantasy stud. |
|
Lonzo Ball Lonzo Ball to begin season under restrictions
Mon, Oct 6, 2025, 12:17 PM
Cleveland.com
Lonzo Ball will be restricted to 20 minutes and not play both games of back-to-backs to begin the season.
Analysis: Due to Ball's injury history, Monday's report that he'll be under a minutes restriction to begin the season is unsurprising. As for back-to-backs, Cleveland will play its first on October 26-27, the team's third and fourth games of the regular season. Ball, acquired from the Bulls in late June, has dealt with knee issues and injured his wrist late last season. With Darius Garland (toe) not a lock to be available to start the regular season, some pinpointed Ball as a potential late-round option as he helps fill the void. However, the minutes limit lowers his fantasy ceiling in the short term. Look for Craig Porter Jr. to be in the mix for rotation minutes early on if Garland cannot play. |
|
Darius Garland Garland (toe) to be limited during training camp
Wed, Sep 24, 2025, 3:27 AM
Cleveland.com
According to Cleveland.com's Chris Fedor, Darius Garland (toe) will participate in training camp in a âvery limitedâ capacity.
Analysis: Garland injured his right big toe during a March 23 game against the Jazz. He played through the injury until the postseason, when the Cavaliers' point guard was forced to miss four games. Having undergone surgery in early June, Garland is progressing in his recovery. However, while he has resumed some on-court activities, he will be limited during training camp. According to Fedor, Garland could miss the regular season's first 10-15 games. âHe looks good. He's stronger. He's more stout. He has a great attitude. I think his mental is in the right place,â Cavs president of basketball operations Koby Altman said Tuesday. âThe biggest thing is how do we start to ramp him up from a conditioning standpoint? That's not something that can happen in two weeks. I think he's had a really good offseason from a strength perspective.â Sam Merrill is expected to move into the starting lineup, which raises his fantasy ceiling, with Donovan Mitchell shifting over to point guard as the team awaits Garland's return. Lonzo Ball and Craig Porter Jr. will provide depth at the point behind Mitchell, with the former being the more enticing fantasy option despite his injury history. |
|
Thomas Bryant Shams: Thomas Bryant signs one-year deal with Cavs
Tue, Sep 23, 2025, 8:48 AM
Shams Charania
ESPN's Shams Charania reports that Thomas Bryant has agreed to a one-year deal with the Cavaliers.
Analysis: Bryant - a 2023 champion with the Nuggets - operated as a key backup center for the Pacers during their run to last season's Finals, and he'll bring that playoff experience with him to Cleveland. The Cavs' frontcourt is loaded at the top with Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley, but Bryant could find his way to meaningful minutes if either of the two have to miss time during the 2025-26 campaign. |
|
Max Strus Max Strus (foot) out 3-4 months after surgery
Tue, Aug 26, 2025, 10:03 AM
Cleveland Cavaliers
Max Strus (foot) will miss three to four months after undergoing surgery to repair a broken fifth metatarsal.
Analysis: According to the Cavaliers, Strus suffered a Jones fracture in his left foot during a recent workout. He'll miss three to four months, meaning the starting guard/forward may not be available until after Thanksgiving. With Darius Garland (toe) likely out until the end of October at the earliest, Cleveland will likely begin the 2025-26 season without two starters. Strus' absence means more opportunities will be available to De'Andre Hunter, Sam Merrill and Jaylon Tyson when training camp opens in late September. Hunter would be the safest choice for fantasy managers, while Merrill offers value as a three-point shooter. Tyson, who played sparingly as a rookie, would be the âwild cardâ for the Cavaliers. |
|
Larry Nance Stein: Larry Nance Jr. signs with Cavaliers
Tue, Jul 1, 2025, 11:33 AM
Marc Stein
NBA insider Marc Stein reports Larry Nance Jr. has agreed to a deal with the Cavaliers.
Analysis: After an injury-riddled season with the Hawks in which he played 24 games, Nance is headed back to Cleveland for his second stint with the franchise. Last season, the veteran forward/center averaged 8.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 0.8 steals in 19.3 minutes per game. Nance also showed the ability to step away from the basket, shooting 44.7 percent from three on 3.2 attempts per contest. With Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen's roles unchanged, Nance will provide added frontcourt depth off the bench. He is not a player worth selecting in fantasy drafts, but there may be the occasional spot where he'll have streaming value. |
|
Sam Merrill Shams: Merrill to sign four-year contract with CLE
Sat, Jun 28, 2025, 8:51 AM
Shams Charania
ESPN's Shams Charania reports Sam Merrill intends to sign a four-year, $38 million contract with the Cavaliers.
Analysis: The No. 60 pick in the 2020 draft has earned a nice payday to remain in Cleveland. He has spent the last three seasons with the Cavs, where he averaged 7.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.9 three-pointers per game this past season. The 29-year-old will continue to be a solid reserve shooting option for a team that is looking to bounce back after an early postseason exit this past season. |
|
Lonzo Ball Shams: Lonzo Ball heading to Cleveland for Okoro
Sat, Jun 28, 2025, 5:07 AM
Shams Charania
ESPN's Shams Charania reports Lonzo Ball has been traded to the Cavaliers in a deal that will send Isaac Okoro to the Bulls.
Analysis: Injuries have limited Lonzo in recent seasons, but he's still an impactful player when he's on the floor. Now, he'll be a strong reserve playmaking option behind Darius Garland. Ball's addition likely means that Ty Jerome will sign elsewhere in free agency after being one of the best bench options in the league last season. Ball's departure should also open up minutes for Ayo Dosunmu off the bench as the primary reserve in the backcourt. Reports from April indicated that Ball should be ready to go for training camp after missing the final two months of last season with a wrist injury. |
|
Darius Garland Darius Garland expected to miss start of season
Mon, Jun 9, 2025, 9:36 AM
Shams Charania
ESPN's Shams Charania reports that Darius Garland underwent surgery on a great toe injury and is expected to miss 4-5 months, which will likely include time to start the 2025-26 season.
Analysis: Garland picked up the injury on March 23 against the Jazz and played through it before ultimately missing time. He missed four of the Cavs' final seven games of the regular season and Games 1 and 2 of the first-round playoff series with Indiana, re-aggravating the injury in the process. If Ty Jerome re-signs with Cleveland this offseason, he's the guy most likely to replace Garland in the starting five. Donovan Mitchell's usage rate spiked when Garland sat and he'd appear to be in line for some big fantasy lines early in the season while Garland is sidelined. |
|
Max Strus Max Strus goes ice cold in series-ending defeat
Tue, May 13, 2025, 4:25 PM
Max Strus shot 0-of-9 from the field in Tuesday's Game 5 loss to the Pacers, going scoreless with seven rebounds and two assists in 26 minutes.
Analysis: Game 5 was brutal for Strus, who missed all six of his three-point attempts and could not make a shot from the field overall. While he did grab seven rebounds, three more than fellow starter Jarrett Allen, the Cavaliers needed more offensive production from Strus. Due to offseason ankle surgery, Strus did not make his first appearance until just before Christmas, which put him in a difficult spot regarding fantasy value. While many managers did not expect much from Strus beyond offering late-round value, he finished outside the top-175 in eight- and nine-cat formats. Look for him again to be a late-round pick in most fantasy leagues. |
|
Jarrett Allen Jarrett Allen limited to nine points in Game 5
Tue, May 13, 2025, 4:22 PM
Jarrett Allen accumulated nine points (4-of-6 FGs, 1-of-2 FTs), four rebounds and one steal in 30 minutes in Tuesday's Game 5 loss to the Pacers.
Analysis: After scoring 12 points or more in the first three games of this series, Allen was a shell of himself in Games 4 and 5. While more effective as a scorer in Game 5, the Cavaliers' center's impact was once again muted as the East's top seed watched its season end. That's an unfortunate conclusion for Allen, who matched his Yahoo! ADP (53) in nine-cat formats during the regular season, according to Basketball Monster. While he was a sixth-round player in eight-cat formats, Allen's value taking a hit due to Evan Mobley's emergence was unsurprising. He may not come off the board within the first 50 picks in most drafts next fall, but Allen should remain a dependable option for fantasy managers needing a center. |
|
Evan Mobley Evan Mobley posts 24 points, 11 rebounds in Game 5
Tue, May 13, 2025, 4:18 PM
Evan Mobley logged 37 minutes in Tuesday's Game 5 loss to the Pacers, scoring 24 points (8-of-12 FGs, 7-of-9 FTs) with 11 rebounds, one assist, two blocks and one three-pointer.
Analysis: Recording his third double-double in four games, Mobley had his best performance of the series in Game 5. Unfortunately for him, it wasn't good enough to force a Game 6, as Cleveland combined to shoot 9-of-35 from beyond the arc. A sprained ankle sidelined Mobley for Game 2, and the blown lead in that contest set the tone for the Cavaliers. Regarding fantasy basketball, the Cavaliers forward exceeded his Yahoo! ADP (38) in eight- and nine-cat formats, providing top-25 value in the latter. Mobley's ADP should be considerably higher next fall as he continues establishing himself as one of the NBA's top frontcourt players. |
|
Darius Garland Darius Garland struggles, finishes with 11 points
Tue, May 13, 2025, 4:15 PM
Darius Garland shot 4-of-16 from the field and 3-of-4 from the foul line in Tuesday's Game 5 loss to the Pacers, scoring 11 points with four rebounds and three assists in 33 minutes.
Analysis: On a night when the Cavaliers needed Garland to be his best, the point guard could not rise to the challenge. Not only did he miss all six of his three-point attempts, but Garland was also responsible for five turnovers. His toe injury suffered during the first round did Garland no favors, but this was a disappointing way for him to end the 2024-25 season. While having a Yahoo! ADP outside the top-50, the Cavaliers' point guard finished within that threshold in eight- and nine-cat formats. Playing alongside Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley may limit his ceiling, but Garland's fantasy floor is relatively safe. |
Connect With Us:
