The Cleveland Cavaliers are heading into the 2025-26 NBA season with a mix of optimism, uncertainty, and a whole lot of intrigue. Just days before training camp, fans learned that shooting guard Max Strus will miss the season’s start due to a foot injury, joining All-Star point guard Darius Garland on the sidelines as he recovers from offseason toe surgery. It’s a tough blow for a franchise that’s eager to build on last year’s regular-season success, but the Cavs are determined to turn adversity into opportunity.
Despite these setbacks, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst recently predicted that, if healthy, the Cavaliers could once again claim the number one seed in the Eastern Conference. Windhorst wrote on ESPN.com, “The Cavs aren’t exactly starting the season with momentum, with starters Darius Garland and Max Strus out for extended periods following offseason foot surgeries. But the conference finals are a long way off, and if they are healthy, their full roster should put them as favorites.” That’s a bold outlook for a team that, while deep and talented, is still licking its wounds from an early playoff exit at the hands of the Indiana Pacers last season.
Last year, the Cavaliers stormed their way to the top of the East, only to be bounced in the second round for the second consecutive year. Injuries played a significant role in that disappointment, as Garland, Evan Mobley, and De’Andre Hunter all missed time during the Pacers series. The front office’s response? Stay the course. Rather than overhauling the roster, Cleveland chose to retain most of its core, letting only Ty Jerome depart for the Memphis Grizzlies in free agency. The message was clear: trust the depth, trust the process, and trust that better health will bring better results.
But with Garland and Strus both out for the season opener on October 22 against the New York Knicks, head coach Kenny Atkinson faces a daunting task. Atkinson, who’s still learning the best ways to reach and motivate new and younger players like Craig Porter Jr. and De’Andre Hunter, will have to get creative with his rotations. The Cavaliers are looking at this early-season adversity as a chance to evaluate their bench and give emerging talents a shot to prove themselves.
Second-year wing Jaylon Tyson, for example, is expected to see a significant uptick in minutes. With Isaac Okoro gone and Strus sidelined, Tyson’s blend of size and skill makes him an intriguing option at both the three and four spots. The coaching staff, especially Atkinson, has high hopes for Tyson’s development. “Anytime you take away some impediments to playing time, the opportunity is certainly going to increase,” Chris Fedor observed on the Wine and Gold Talk podcast. Tyson’s challenge? Make it hard for the coaching staff to cut his minutes once the team is back at full strength.
Rookie Tyrese Proctor is another name to watch. While the organization values his playmaking, shooting, and maturity, there are concerns about his readiness for the NBA’s physical demands. Proctor faces a “longer climb up the depth chart,” as Fedor put it, especially with Craig Porter Jr. and veteran Lonzo Ball ahead of him. Still, situational opportunities—like back-to-back games where Ball’s minutes are managed—could give Proctor a chance to showcase his talents and learn from the sidelines.
Speaking of Lonzo Ball, his acquisition in a trade for Isaac Okoro was one of Cleveland’s headline moves this offseason. Ball, a savvy 6-foot-6 point guard with a reputation for defense, rebounding, and unselfish playmaking, fills a major gap exposed by Garland’s absence in last year’s playoffs. Ball’s presence not only boosts the Cavs’ backcourt depth but also signals the franchise’s ongoing commitment to Garland as the team’s offensive engine. Rumors of a potential Garland trade have swirled for years, especially after Donovan Mitchell’s arrival, but all signs now point to Garland being a cornerstone in Cleveland for the foreseeable future.
“While many guards can pass to an open shooter or cutter, Darius’ innate talent as a floor general kickstarted the modern Cavaliers era,” one analysis noted. The addition of Ball is less about replacing Garland and more about ensuring the team never again has to scramble for a playmaker if injuries strike. Ball’s leadership and quick decision-making should also help players like De’Andre Hunter and sophomore Jaylon Tyson thrive in their roles.
The Cavaliers’ decision to let Ty Jerome walk in favor of re-signing Sam Merrill was another calculated move. According to Chris Fedor, the team valued Merrill’s three-point shooting and off-ball movement, which better complement the roster’s needs. “They felt like they needed somebody who could do the things that Sam Merrill does more so than Ty, and that doesn’t even get into the defensive limitations that Ty showed in the Indiana series,” Fedor explained. With Lonzo Ball now handling much of the backup playmaking, the Cavs are betting on Merrill’s spacing and movement to unlock new offensive wrinkles.
Injuries, while unfortunate, are opening the door for several Cavaliers to make a name for themselves. Craig Porter Jr., for example, has embraced the challenge of becoming a more mature and reliable backup point guard. After receiving feedback about his work ethic, Porter has reportedly rededicated himself to the game, viewing basketball as a profession rather than just a passion. With Garland sidelined, Porter faces his “biggest opportunity yet” to prove he belongs in the NBA rotation—either with Cleveland or elsewhere.
The coaching staff is also keeping an eye on Nae’Qwan Tomlin, whose minutes will depend on how other rotation pieces like Dean Wade are deployed. If Wade slides into the starting lineup to cover for Strus, Tomlin could see valuable backup minutes at power forward. The Cavaliers are taking a flexible, case-by-case approach to player development, ready to adjust as the season unfolds.
Max Strus, meanwhile, isn’t letting his injury keep him from contributing. The veteran is expected to serve as a mentor and unofficial coaching assistant while he recovers, with rookie Tyrese Proctor among those eager to learn from his experience. Last season, Strus helped refine the Cavs’ zone defense from the sidelines, and the organization anticipates he’ll continue to find ways to add value off the court.
Ultimately, the Cavaliers are using this early-season adversity to test their depth and build trust in their bench. If players like Tyson, Porter Jr., and Tomlin can deliver strong performances now, they’ll earn the confidence of Atkinson and the coaching staff for high-leverage moments later in the year. As Fedor pointed out, “Strong performances by bench players during the early-season injury period could establish trust that extends throughout the season and into potential playoff situations.”
With the season opener against the Knicks looming, Cleveland’s path to the top of the East won’t be easy. But in a league where depth and adaptability are everything, the Cavaliers are determined to turn their current challenges into long-term strengths. The journey is just beginning, and for these Cavs, every opportunity counts.
