| News |
|---|
|
Thomas Bryant Report: Cavs, Thomas Bryant agree to 1-year deal
Mon, Jun 29, 2026, 9:03 AM
Shams Charania
ESPN's Shams Charania reports that Thomas Bryant intends to sign a one-year deal to remain with the Cavaliers.
Analysis: While the contract amount was not reported, Bryant is likely to be on the veteran's minimum. In his first season with the Cavaliers, he averaged 12.1 minutes per game in 60 appearances. Unless something unexpected were to happen with Jarrett Allen or Evan Mobley, Bryant is unlikely to get the playing time needed to affect fantasy basketball. He'll give the Cavaliers additional post depth off the bench. |
|
James Harden Harden declines option, negotiating with Cavaliers
Mon, Jun 29, 2026, 5:23 AM
Shams Charania
ESPN's Shams Charania reports that James Harden is declining his player option for next season and negotiating a new multiyear deal with the Cavaliers.
Analysis: Harden, who helped the Cavaliers reach the Eastern Conference Finals last season, would have earned a base salary of $42.3 million had he opted into the final season of his contract. However, the decision to opt out and negotiate a new deal with the Cavaliers is likely to benefit both parties. While Harden would get additional security in the form of more years, Cleveland may be able to give him a lower annual salary. With the team hopeful to retain pending free agent Dean Wade while also lowering its payroll, every little bit helps. |
|
Xavier Cooks Meleek Thomas heading to Cleveland with 34th pick
Wed, Jun 24, 2026, 2:36 PM
Cavaliers selected Meleek Thomas with pick No. 34 in the NBA Draft.
Analysis: Simply put, Thomas is one of the best shooters in the class, and many believe that his name should be at the top of the list. In his lone season at Arkansas, the 6-foot-3 guard accounted for 15.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 2.2 three-pointers. Thomas shot 41.6 percent from three and 84.3 percent from the foul line, and he's considered to have the quickest release in this class. A solid defender, Thomas can also provide value as a supplementary playmaker. Donovan Mitchell and James Harden will continue to fill out most of the backcourt minutes in Cleveland, and they aren't short on depth at guard. Thomas is talented, but it may take some time for him to establish a consistent role. |
|
Dennis Schroder Windhorst: Cavaliers looking to 'shave salary'
Tue, Jun 16, 2026, 9:11 AM
Brian Windhorst
ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported the Cavaliers are looking to âshave salary.â
Analysis: Windhorst theorized that the Cavs could be âinvestigatingâ moving on from Dennis Schroder, though it doesn't appear that a deal is imminent. Schroder was dealt from Sacramento to Cleveland at the deadline and was a solid veteran for them down the stretch, though he didn't do much in the conference finals. It appears Schroder's time with the Cavs will be coming to a close this summer, though that isn't guaranteed. If he ends up on a team that has a larger need for a point guard than Cleveland has, he could have some fantasy relevance next season. |
|
Xavier Cooks Reports: Kenny Atkinson expected back with Cavs
Tue, May 26, 2026, 10:33 AM
The Athletic
According to multiple outlets, the Cavaliers are expected to retain head coach Kenny Atkinson for the 2026-27 season.
Analysis: Projected as one of the favorites to come out of the East before the season began, the Cavaliers earned their first conference finals appearance since 2018. However, they weren't particularly competitive after blowing a 22-point lead in the series opener, with the Knicks beating Cleveland by 37 points in Monday's Game 4. The sweep and the amount of money locked up among the team's stars led some to speculate about the futures of Atkinson and the team's lead executive, Koby Altman. However, reports on Tuesday are that both are expected to remain in their respective posts for the 2026-27 season. What Atkinson's roster for next season will look like is up in the air. Donovan Mitchell is extension eligible this summer, while James Harden has a player option worth just over $42.3 million. Both guards spoke highly of Atkinson during their respective media availability following Game 4. |
|
Jarrett Allen Jarrett Allen records four 'stocks' in Game 4 loss
Tue, May 26, 2026, 4:07 AM
Jarrett Allen accounted for six points (3-of-5 FGs), three rebounds, one assist, two steals and two blocks in Monday's Game 4 loss to the Knicks.
Analysis: While Allen was able to put up some numbers defensively in Game 4, he offered little else in the 130-93 defeat. After going on an 18-0 run during Game 3, the Knicks blew open Monday's series finale with a 20-0 run to send Cleveland into the offseason. The franchise can sell the fact of reaching the conference finals for the first time since 2018 as progress, and that would be accurate. However, the way Cleveland was dominated after Game 1 will raise questions. Playing in a lineup that includes Donovan Mitchell, James Harden and Evan Mobley limits Allen's fantasy ceiling. Still, he should once again offer a relatively safe top-75 floor if the Cavaliers decide to run it back with this core. |
|
Evan Mobley Evan Mobley scores 15 points in series finale
Tue, May 26, 2026, 3:56 AM
Evan Mobley accounted for 15 points (7-of-15 FGs, 0-of-1 FTs), seven rebounds, four assists, one steal and one three-pointer in Monday's Game 4 loss to the Knicks.
Analysis: After scoring 24 points in Game 3, Mobley's offensive production decreased in his final appearance of the 2025-26 season. To say that his first conference finals appearance was a learning experience would be an understatement. While Mobley did show flashes of the player who can be a cornerstone for the Cavaliers for years to come, he has to be more consistent. Expected by many fantasy managers to approach top-25 value before the season began, Mobley was a fifth-round player during the regular season. And with this sweep, there may be questions this offseason about the viability of his frontcourt partnership with Jarrett Allen. |
|
James Harden James Harden limited to 12 points in finale
Tue, May 26, 2026, 3:51 AM
James Harden finished Monday's Game 4 loss to the Knicks with 12 points (2-of-8 FGs, 8-of-9 FTs), four rebounds, two assists, one steal and one blocked shot.
Analysis: Harden struggled throughout the Eastern Conference Finals, and Monday's 130-93 defeat was no different. In addition to shooting 25 percent from the field, the veteran guard was a brutal 0-of-6 from beyond the arc. And for the 33rd time in his postseason career, Harden finished a game with more turnovers (five) than made field goals. He has a player option for 2026-27 worth just over $42.3 million, but there's always the possibility that Harden and the Cavaliers agree to an extension with a lower annual salary. From the trade deadline onward, he provided second-round value in eight-cat formats. Expecting similar production from Harden next season would be realistic, even with the poor showing in the conference finals. |
|
Donovan Mitchell Donovan Mitchell has game-high 31 points in loss
Mon, May 25, 2026, 4:50 PM
Donovan Mitchell had 31 points (9-of-18 FGs, 8-of-10 FTs), four rebounds, one assist, one steal and five three-pointers against the Knicks in Game 4 on Monday.
Analysis: Mitchell had 31 points on 18 attempts, but was also -23 in 32 minutes as the Cavaliers' season ended with a 130-93 loss to the Knicks at home in Game 4. Mitchell had four turnovers and James Harden and Evan Mobley combined for eight turnovers. He was named to the All-NBA second-team over the weekend and becomes extension-eligible this summer. Mitchell is headed towards an offseason of uncertainty as questions about the future direction of the team will have to be answered. |
|
Dennis Schroder Dennis Schröder (illness) out for Game 4 Monday
Mon, May 25, 2026, 1:24 PM
Dennis Schröder (illness) is out for Game 4 against the Knicks on Monday.
Analysis: Schröder popped up on the injury report as questionable with an illness just hours before game-time and was subsequently ruled out. It's a difficult development for the Cavaliers to weather while already trailing 3-0 in the series. It's unclear who will step into Schröder's vacated bench minutes, though Keon Ellis is a likely candidate. |
|
Dennis Schroder Dennis Schröder (illness) questionable for Game 4
Mon, May 25, 2026, 12:02 PM
Dennis Schröder (illness) is questionable for Game 4 against the Knicks on Monday.
Analysis: Schröder popped up on the injury report as questionable just hours before tip-off on Monday. The 32-year-old point guard had just three points in nine minutes off the bench in Game 3 on Saturday. Keon Ellis could enter the Cavaliers' rotation if Schröder is ruled out. |
|
Max Strus Max Strus hits four three-pointers in Game 3
Sat, May 23, 2026, 5:01 PM
Max Strus finished Saturday's Game 3 loss to the Knicks with 13 points (4-of-12 FGs, 1-of-1 FTs), seven rebounds, six assists, one steal and four three-pointers.
Analysis: Strus has not been in the starting lineup for this series, with Dean Wade (two rebounds, one assist and one steal) receiving the first shot at defending New York's Jalen Brunson. However, it's fair to question if Cavaliers' head coach Kenny Atkinson will consider a lineup change going into Monday's must-win Game 4. Strus, who logged 31 minutes to Wade's 17, is a greater threat offensively while being able to harass Brunson defensively. The Knicks' star still scored 30 points in Game 3, but Cleveland not getting any offensive production from Wade was also problematic. Cleveland needs a win on Monday to extend its season and send the series back to New York for a Game 5. |
|
Evan Mobley Evan Mobley scores team-high 24 points in Game 3
Sat, May 23, 2026, 5:01 PM
Evan Mobley tallied 24 points (10-of-18 FGs, 3-of-4 FTs), six rebounds, two assists, one block and one three-pointer in Saturday's Game 3 loss to the Knicks.
Analysis: After not attempting a shot in the second half of Game 2, Mobley had his best scoring performance of the Eastern Conference Finals in Game 3. His 24 points led the way for the Cavaliers, and he posted that number on good percentages from the field and the foul line. However, Mobley was also responsible for five turnovers, as were Donovan Mitchell and James Harden. It's nearly impossible for a team to win a game at this point in the postseason when its three best players struggle with turnovers. Game 4 is on Monday, with the Cavaliers needing a win to extend their season. |
|
Donovan Mitchell Donovan Mitchell scores 23 points in Game 3
Sat, May 23, 2026, 5:00 PM
Donovan Mitchell recorded 23 points (9-of-21 FGs, 2-of-6 FTs), one rebound, four assists, three steals and three three-pointers in Saturday's Game 3 loss to the Knicks.
Analysis: The three players the Cavaliers count on the most offensively struggled with their efficiency in Game 3. Mitchell committed five turnovers, with James Harden and Evan Mobley doing the same. Cleveland's miscues led to New York scoring 17 fast-break points, besting the Cavaliers by 13 in that category. Mitchell also shot 3-of-10 from beyond the arc, and the inefficiency was too much to overcome in this matchup. For Cleveland to extend the series with a win on Monday, they'll need a far better version of Mitchell than the one they've received in the first three games. |
|
James Harden James Harden drops 19 points in Game 3 defeat
Sat, May 23, 2026, 5:00 PM
James Harden accounted for 19 points (8-of-15 FGs, 2-of-3 FTs), five rebounds, five assists, one steal and one three-pointer in Saturday's Game 3 loss to the Knicks.
Analysis: While more productive in Game 3 than he was in either of the first two games of the Eastern Conference Finals, Harden's overall impact was once again muted. Given the matchup, the Cavaliers can ill afford not to have Harden playing at an elite level. He shot just 1-of-7 from beyond the arc on Saturday and finished with as many turnovers as assists. Harden and the Cavaliers need a win on Monday to avoid getting swept. |
|
Jarrett Allen Jarrett Allen corrals 10 rebounds in Game 2 loss
Thu, May 21, 2026, 4:51 PM
Jarrett Allen recorded 13 points (5-of-10 FGs, 3-of-6 FTs), 10 rebounds, one steal and two blocked shots in Thursday's Game 2 loss to the Knicks.
Analysis: After a pedestrian 10-point, seven-rebound effort in Game 1, Allen recorded his first double-double since Game 5 of the Detroit series on Thursday. He was also reasonably productive as a defender, recording three defensive contributions. However, Cleveland's inability to knock down shots eliminated their chances of winning, especially as the Knicks went on an 18-0 run in the third quarter. Allen and the Cavaliers will look to rebound when they host Game 3 on Saturday. |
|
Evan Mobley Evan Mobley scores 14 points in Game 2 defeat
Thu, May 21, 2026, 4:50 PM
Evan Mobley accounted for 14 points (5-of-8 FGs, 2-of-4 FTs), six rebounds, three assists, two blocks and two three-pointers in Thursday's Game 2 loss to the Knicks.
Analysis: Overall, Mobley was effective when he got the ball in Game 2. His lack of touches in the second half was a major issue for the Cavaliers. Somehow, Mobley did not attempt a shot after halftime, which cannot happen, even with Donovan Mitchell and James Harden on the floor. If there's any player in the Cavaliers' starting lineup capable of being a game-changer, it may be Mobley, especially with the Knicks playing one big at most times. But that can't happen if he isn't getting the ball. The Cavaliers will look to cut their series deficit in half with a win in Game 3 on Saturday. |
|
James Harden James Harden finishes Game 2 loss with 18 points
Thu, May 21, 2026, 4:50 PM
James Harden tallied 18 points (6-of-15 FGs, 3-of-3 FTs), six rebounds, two assists, two steals and three three-pointers in Thursday's Game 2 loss to the Knicks.
Analysis: After racking up six turnovers and getting torched defensively by Jalen Brunson in Game 1, Harden recorded a better stat line on Thursday. While the field-goal percentage remained low, The Beard did not commit a turnover in 32 minutes. However, he had just two assists, a byproduct of the Cavaliers' shooting 38.8 percent from the field and 9-of-35 from three. The Cavaliers will hope that Harden can find his groove in Game 3 on Saturday, as they sit in a 0-2 hole. |
|
Donovan Mitchell Donovan Mitchell scores team-high 26 points
Thu, May 21, 2026, 4:50 PM
Mike Vorkunov
Donovan Mitchell finished Thursday's Game 2 loss to the Knicks with 26 points (8-of-18 FGs, 8-of-9 FTs), four rebounds, one assist, one block and two three-pointers.
Analysis: After blowing Game 1, the Cavaliers could not find their stroke in Game 2. Mitchell, who scored 19 points in the second half, was the exception, as Cleveland shot 38.8 percent from the field as a team. New York, which erased a 22-point deficit in the opener, grabbed control of Game 2 with an 18-0 run during the third quarter. Mitchell did what he could to pull the Cavaliers to as close as seven, but the hole was too deep to climb out of completely. While there have been some concerns that he may have tweaked something in his lower body during Game 1, Mitchell said after Thursday's defeat that he's fine. The usual explosiveness was not there, but it's clear that he isn't going to make any excuses. Cleveland will look to defend home court when it hosts Game 3 on Saturday. |
|
Evan Mobley Evan Mobley has 15-point, 14-rebound double-double
Tue, May 19, 2026, 6:08 PM
Evan Mobley finished Tuesday's loss to the Knicks with 15 points (6-of-16 FGs, 1-of-2 FTs), 14 rebounds, three assists, three blocks and two three-pointers.
Analysis: Mobley landed a double-double on Tuesday, as he dominated the defensive glass and did a fine job of erasing shot attempts. Yet his shooting struggles from beyond the arc prevented him from delivering a bigger offensive performance, while failing to make the Knicks pay for gifting him open looks. Given his inefficiency from deep in Game 1, there's a chance those same shots could be there for him to take. He'll need to step into those looks and capitalize in Game 2 better than he did on Tuesday. |
Connect With Us:
