Optimism is swirling in Cleveland as the Cavaliers gear up for the 2025-26 NBA season, with training camp in full swing and Media Day having set the tone for what many hope will be a defining year. After a roller-coaster 2024-25 campaign that saw the Cavs rack up 64 regular-season wins—their highest tally since the LeBron era in 2008-09—fans and analysts alike are wondering: is this finally the year the Cavaliers break through to NBA Finals contention?
Last season, the Cavaliers made headlines by storming through the regular season under the guidance of their new head coach, Kenny Atkinson. Their dynamic offense and revitalized roster chemistry propelled them to the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. But the postseason brought both triumph and heartbreak. Cleveland swept the Miami Heat in the first round, only to be derailed in the second by the Indiana Pacers, with injuries and fierce competition proving too much to overcome. Despite the abrupt end, the Cavs’ postseason-high 119.4 points per game and league-leading offensive rating of 121 left the league on notice.
The Cavaliers’ core—six-time All-Star Donovan Mitchell, Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley, and defensive anchor Jarrett Allen—remains intact, thanks to massive contract extensions inked before last season. De’Andre Hunter, a versatile forward, is locked in for two more years, while Dean Wade enters the final season of his three-year deal. The front office’s commitment to continuity is clear, but the offseason was anything but quiet.
One of the biggest storylines heading into the new season is the status of guard Darius Garland. Garland, a two-time All-Star and the fifth overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, underwent surgery to repair a nagging left big toe injury that hampered him during the 2025 playoffs. As a result, he will miss the start of the 2025-26 campaign. Garland’s absence opens the door for new acquisition Lonzo Ball to take over starting point guard duties—a move that’s already sparked debate among fans and league insiders.
According to a recent report from Roundtable, an anonymous NBA executive believes the Cavaliers should consider trading Garland altogether, citing concerns that the Garland-Mitchell backcourt is undersized. “I think they need to trade Darius,” the executive told Roundtable. “That backcourt is too small with him and Donovan (Mitchell). I love the Lonzo (Ball) trade. If I were Kenny (Atkinson), I would start Lonzo, Donovan, De’Andre (Hunter), Evan (Mobley) and Jarrett (Allen) and trade Darius.” The executive even suggested that the Sacramento Kings, who showed interest before acquiring Dennis Schröder, could be a potential trade partner.
Garland’s numbers last season were nothing to sneeze at. In 75 regular-season games, he averaged 20.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, 6.7 assists, and 1.2 steals while shooting an efficient 47.2% from the field, 40.1% from three-point range, and 87.8% from the free-throw line. In the playoffs, he put up 18.0 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game, though his shooting percentages dipped under postseason pressure. At just 25 years old and earning $39.4 million this season (with no no-trade clause), Garland remains a valuable asset, but his future in Cleveland is suddenly a hot topic.
With Garland sidelined, Lonzo Ball steps into the spotlight. Ball’s combination of size, passing, and perimeter defense provides a different look for the Cavaliers, and many expect him to mesh well with Mitchell, Mobley, and Allen. Ball, along with fellow newcomers Larry Nance Jr. and Thomas Bryant, brings additional depth to a roster that already boasts one of the league’s most potent offenses. Rookie Tyrese Proctor, selected 49th overall, and sophomore Jaylon Tyson, who impressed in Summer League, are also expected to compete for minutes in the backcourt rotation.
Depth is a recurring theme for the Cavaliers this season. Larry Nance Jr., returning to his hometown on a one-year deal, emphasized the importance of having contributions from every player on the roster. “It’s a full roster thing,” Nance said. “Guys 1-15 can really play and help. (Cleveland’s) a unique spot in that way.” This sentiment is echoed throughout the organization, with a clear understanding that a deep bench can be the difference in a grueling NBA season.
Of course, the heart and soul of the Cavaliers’ resurgence is Evan Mobley. The near seven-footer took home Defensive Player of the Year honors last season, earned his first All-Star selection, and was named to both the All-Defensive First Team and the All-NBA Second Team. Mobley’s evolution as a two-way force has been nothing short of remarkable. He’s not just content with last year’s accolades, either. “My individual goals are definitely the All-Star game,” Mobley said on Media Day. “Hopefully, I can keep the Defensive Player of the Year as well. And then, from there, I’m going to keep that a secret for now.”
Mobley’s offseason focus has been on expanding his offensive repertoire. “It’s grown a lot,” he said of his ball-handling skills. “I did a lot of those drills in the offseason. This year, you’re definitely going to see me with the ball in my hands a lot more. I think, with our offense and how it’s going to change a little bit, you’re going to see me out there doing that.” As Mobley’s offensive game blossoms, the Cavaliers’ ceiling only rises higher.
Donovan Mitchell, meanwhile, continues to be the engine that drives Cleveland’s high-octane attack. His leadership and scoring prowess were instrumental in the team’s three double-digit win streaks last season and their transformation into one of the NBA’s premier three-point shooting teams. Mitchell, Mobley, and Allen form a formidable nucleus, but the supporting cast—bolstered by new faces and returning contributors—could be what finally puts Cleveland over the top.
As training camp stories and preseason predictions swirl, the Cavaliers’ fan base finds itself in a familiar place: hopeful, impatient, and maybe just a little bit anxious. The championship window is open, but the Eastern Conference remains a minefield. Health, chemistry, and perhaps a bold front office move could make all the difference.
For now, all eyes are on the start of the season, with the Cavaliers poised to make noise—whether that means running it back with their current core or shaking things up with a blockbuster trade. One thing’s for sure: in Cleveland, expectations haven’t been this high in years, and the journey ahead promises to be anything but dull.
