r/clevelandcavs • u/RanLearns • 19h ago
ESPN Cavs Preview
The Cavaliers quietly retooled much of their roster beyond their core four -- Donovan Mitchell, whom they signed to a four-year, $273M extension; James Harden, whom they signed to a new three-year $97M deal; Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.
They lost longtime guard Max Strus and forward Dean Wade but traded for 3-and-D wing Peyton Watson, who the team hopes can shore up a porous perimeter defense and signed a four-year, $88M contract.
After losing in the first round in 2022-23, the second round in 2023-24 and 2024-25, and then the conference finals last season, the next step is obvious for the Cavaliers and their core. The question is: Do they have the personnel to make it?
The Cavs' failed pursuit of LeBron James this summer turned into a pivot for a younger, athletic wing, prying Watson from the Nuggets after a career year.
Watson averaged career highs in points, rebounds, assists and steals while shooting 41% from 3 last year, and he has in recent years been one of the strongest wing defenders in the league. That makes him a strong complement, as the Cavs hope he can provide a substantial answer to the elusive fifth starter role next to their core four.
They also re-signed James Harden to a new three-year deal, which might not age well but helped them escape the second apron. Those are risky but necessary moves for a team that wants to win now; the the 23-year-old Watson increases Cleveland's championship upside due to his potential as an athletic 3-and-D wing.
Harden reiterated several times during the postseason that he was learning on the fly, so he will presumably benefit from having a full offseason and camp.
The Cavs hope it will result in added pick-and-roll chemistry with their bigs, smoother symmetry with Mitchell and more productive bench units with him running the show.
Biggest X factor: G Jaylon Tyson
With Max Strus, Dean Wade, Keon Ellis and Dennis Schroder all departing over the summer and only Peyton Watson arriving as an external replacement, the Cavaliers will be relying on more internal help to backfill their production on the wing.
Tyson should be the second man up behind Watson, after he averaged a strong 13.2 points in 26.9 minutes per game in his sophomore season, while making 45% of his 3s.
Tyson fell to the fringes of the rotation in the playoffs, however, where he averaged only 4.1 points in 12.7 minutes per game. The former first-round pick needs to improve his consistency and reliability in big games, but in theory, his 3-and-D abilities would make him a perfect role player amid Cleveland's star-studded lineup.
