Cleveland Cavaliers News

EASTERN CENTRAL

Cam Whitmore • SF • Cavaliers

Cam Whitmore Headed to Cleveland

The Cleveland Cavaliers are acquiring forward Cam Whitmore from the Washington Wizards as part of the expanded multi-team trade that also sends Peyton Watson to Cleveland, Max Strus to the LA Clippers, Tre Mann to Washington, and Julian Reese to Denver, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The move gives Cleveland a younger, smaller-salary wing after Whitmore's 2025-26 season ended in January because of deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder. The 22-year-old averaged 9.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 0.7 assists across 21 games while shooting 45.6 percent from the field. The fantasy fit is cloudy. Watson has the cleaner path to impact minutes, while Jaylon Tyson adds more wing competition, leaving Whitmore off fantasy radars until his health and role are clearer.

10 hours ago

Peyton Watson • SF • Cavaliers

Peyton Watson Lands in Cleveland

The Cleveland Cavaliers are acquiring forward Peyton Watson from the Denver Nuggets in a multi-team sign-and-trade, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Watson is set to land in Cleveland on a four-year, $88 million deal, while Max Strus heads to the Clippers and Cam Whitmore comes to the Cavaliers from Washington. The 23-year-old broke out last season, averaging 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.1 blocks, and 0.9 steals in 29.6 minutes while shooting 41.1 percent from deep. His fantasy stock rises with a cleaner role, but Whitmore and Jaylon Tyson keep the wing competition relevant. Watson's defensive stats and improved shooting give him standalone appeal if the minutes hold.

11 hours ago

Max Strus • SG • Cavaliers

Max Strus Emerges as Cavaliers Trade Piece

Cleveland Cavaliers guard/forward Max Strus has surfaced as a salary-matching piece in the team's pursuit of Denver restricted free agent Peyton Watson, with Evan Sidery reporting that Cleveland is looking for a team willing to take on Strus' $16.7 million expiring contract. The 30-year-old missed the first 67 games last season after left foot surgery, then averaged 11.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.0 assists across 12 games while shooting 40.2 percent from deep. Strus still has value as a floor-spacer, but his fantasy outlook depends heavily on landing spot. If he is moved, Jaylon Tyson could get a cleaner path to wing minutes, while Sam Merrill would remain a bench shooting option.

4 days ago

Tre Mann • PG • Cavaliers

Tre Mann Heads to Cavaliers

Charlotte Hornets guard Tre Mann was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Dennis Schroder and cash, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Mann gives Cleveland a younger, cheaper backcourt piece, but the fantasy path is narrow with James Harden and Donovan Mitchell controlling most of the guard usage. The former Florida standout averaged 5.5 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 12.6 minutes across 53 games last season while shooting 36.0 percent from the field and 32.3 percent from three. Cleveland's guard room leaves him buried for now, so Mann stays off the fantasy radar barring injuries ahead of him.

5 days ago

Dennis Schröder • PG • Cavaliers

Dennis Schroder Remains in Trade Talks

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Dennis Schroder remains part of trade discussions as the team looks to reconfigure the roster and create financial flexibility, according to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com. The 32-year-old was acquired from Sacramento at last season's deadline and is scheduled for roughly $30 million over the next two seasons, though part of his 2027-28 salary is not fully guaranteed yet. Schroder averaged 10.8 points, 4.9 assists, and 2.7 rebounds in 24.2 minutes across 70 games last season while shooting 40.5 percent from the field and 32.9 percent from three. If Cleveland moves him, Craig Porter Jr., Tyrese Proctor, and rookie Meleek Thomas could see clearer paths to backup guard minutes. Until a deal happens, none of them need to be chased for fantasy.

Aug 9

Nae'Qwan Tomlin • PF • Cavaliers

Nae'Qwan Tomlin Eyes Bigger Cavs Role

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Nae'Qwan Tomlin is a name to watch if the team cannot land another frontcourt piece, according to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com. The Cavaliers have explored Dennis Schroder trade scenarios while trying to create flexibility for restricted free agents Jonathan Kuminga and Peyton Watson, but a sign-and-trade remains complicated. If Cleveland strikes out, Tomlin could get a longer look behind Evan Mobley at power forward, with Mario Hezonja also in the mix. The 25-year-old averaged 5.8 points and 2.9 rebounds in 15.7 minutes last season while shooting 47.8 percent from the field. His 23.5 percent mark from three limits the fantasy ceiling, but his size, energy, and defensive activity make him worth tracking in camp.

Aug 8

Meleek Thomas • SG • Cavaliers

Meleek Thomas Extends Hot Summer League Run

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Meleek Thomas stayed hot with 24 points on 10-for-20 shooting in Friday's 100-91 Summer League win over the Bulls, adding two assists, two rebounds, and one steal over 25 minutes. The Arkansas product has been the story of Cleveland's Vegas trip, leading the Summer League in scoring after a 35-point showing against Miami. He slid to No. 34 on draft night despite first-round buzz, and the summer has played like vindication. The catch for fantasy managers is the depth chart: Thomas sits behind James Harden and Donovan Mitchell, so the production reads as a long-term investment more than a source of rookie-year minutes.

Jul 18

Meleek Thomas • SG • Cavaliers

Meleek Thomas Drops 35 Points in First Summer League Win

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Meleek Thomas dropped 35 points, three rebounds, three assists, two steals, one block, and five three-pointers in Monday's 90-73 Summer League win over the Miami Heat. Thomas shot 14-for-23 from the field, 5-for-9 from deep, and 1-for-1 at the line. The No. 34 pick has now scored 20, 30, and 35 points in his first three Las Vegas games, giving Cleveland a real shot-creation bright spot. Thomas is unlikely to have a clean rookie-year fantasy path without rotation minutes, but the scoring burst, threes, and steals make him a name to track beyond Summer League.

Jul 14

Nae'Qwan Tomlin • PF • Cavaliers

Nae'Qwan Tomlin Scores 20 Points in Cavaliers Loss

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Nae'Qwan Tomlin finished with 20 points, six rebounds, four assists, three steals, and one block across 29 minutes in Friday's 99-93 Summer League loss to the Indiana Pacers. Tomlin tied Meleek Thomas for the team lead in scoring and gave Cleveland one of its best two-way lines despite the loss. The 25-year-old already flashed late-season upside with a 26-point regular-season game in April, and this outing showed the same activity-based appeal. Tomlin is still working toward a consistent offensive role, but his ability to rebound, defend, and hit enough jumpers could help him earn a longer look in Cleveland's rotation.

Jul 11

Meleek Thomas • SG • Cavaliers

Meleek Thomas Looks Sharp in Summer League Debut

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Meleek Thomas made his Summer League debut against the Indiana Pacers on Friday. He put together a solid outing, showing off his scoring ability. Thomas finished with 20 points (7-of-15 FGs), five rebounds, and three assists in the loss to the Pacers. The Cavs selected Thomas in the second round of this year's draft out of Arkansas. He recently signed a four-year deal worth nearly $10 million. This team has lost a few key bench contributors to free agency, so Thomas might have a chance to help this team right away.

Jul 10

Donovan Mitchell • SG • Cavaliers

Cavaliers Lock Up Donovan Mitchell on Maximum Extension

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell agreed to a four-year, $273 million maximum contract extension that includes a player option for the 2030-31 season and a full trade kicker, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The deal locks Mitchell into Cleveland after he averaged 27.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.7 assists last season. There is no role change here, but that is the fantasy takeaway. Mitchell remains the clear offensive engine for a Cleveland team built around his scoring and on-ball creation, keeping him firmly in the high-end guard mix as long as his workload holds.

Jul 7

Meleek Thomas • SG • Cavaliers

Meleek Thomas Signs Four-Year, $9.3 Million Deal With Cavaliers

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Meleek Thomas signed a four-year, $9.3 million deal, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. The No. 34 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft gets the first three years fully guaranteed for $6.4 million, a strong commitment for an early second-rounder. Thomas averaged 15.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.5 steals at Arkansas while shooting 41.6 percent from three. His off-ball shooting gives him a clean developmental path, but Cleveland's veteran backcourt led by Donovan Mitchell and James Harden makes early fantasy value unlikely unless the rotation opens up.

Jul 2

LeBron James • SF |

Dennis Schröder • PG • Cavaliers

Dennis Schroder Enters Cavaliers Trade Talks Amid LeBron James Push

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Dennis Schroder has been part of ongoing trade conversations, according to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, as Cleveland looks to create flexibility for a possible LeBron James addition and Dean Wade return. Schroder averaged 10.8 points, 4.9 assists, 2.7 rebounds, and 0.8 steals in 24.2 minutes last season while shooting just 32.9% from three. His fantasy value in Cleveland was capped by James Harden and Donovan Mitchell controlling the offense, but a trade could help if he lands somewhere with backup point guard minutes and clearer second-unit usage. His shooting still keeps the ceiling modest.

Jun 30

LeBron James • SF |

Max Strus • SG • Cavaliers

Cavaliers Could Move Max Strus to Clear Room for LeBron James

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Max Strus has been discussed in ongoing trade conversations, according to Jake Fischer, as the Cavaliers look for ways to create space for LeBron James and improve their chances of retaining Dean Wade. Strus averaged 11.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.0 assists last season, but he was limited to 12 regular-season games before rejoining the rotation in the playoffs. His $16.7 million expiring salary makes him a logical trade chip, though a move away from Cleveland could cut either way for fantasy. Strus needs steady minutes and high-volume perimeter work to matter, so landing spot would be everything.

Jun 30

Craig Porter Jr. • PG • Cavaliers

Cavaliers Exercise Team Option on Craig Porter Jr.

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Craig Porter Jr. will be back with the organization after they exercised his team option for the 2026-2027 season. This was a no-brainer for the organization, given how well Porter has played for them this past season. The Cavs will bring him back on a $2.41 million team option for next season. This past season, Porter averaged 4.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.2 assists across 17.9 minutes per game in 64 games. He didn't make much of an impact during the postseason, but Porter is still a valuable piece with the second unit. He'll likely serve in a similar role with the organization next season.

Jun 23

James Harden • SG • Cavaliers

James Harden Arrested on Misdemeanor Weapons Charge

Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden was arrested early Saturday in Houston and charged with misdemeanor unlawful carrying of a weapon, ESPN's Brian Windhorst reports. According to Harris County court records, officers observed a handgun in plain view, not holstered, on the seat of a car he owns around 3:41 a.m. Harden was released on a $100 bond, with an arraignment set for June 22. The Cavaliers said they are gathering information and in contact with Harden. For fantasy purposes, the on-court fallout looks minimal for now: the charge is a misdemeanor, and while the NBA could weigh discipline under its conduct policy, nothing suggests his availability is in question. The bigger variable remains his offseason, as Harden, a high-usage scorer who averaged 20.5 points and 4.8 assists with Cleveland, holds a player option and is expected to weigh an extension.

Jun 14

Donovan Mitchell • SG • Cavaliers

Donovan Mitchell Remains Cleveland's Top Priority

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell is extension-eligible on July 7, and president of basketball operations Koby Altman made it clear the organization plans to keep building around him, according to cleveland.com's Chris Fedor. "He's our guy. Do we think we can win with him as the best player on a championship team? Yes," Altman said. The 29-year-old backed up that confidence with another high-end fantasy season, averaging 27.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 3.5 threes across 70 games. Cleveland's playoff run ended with a four-game Eastern Conference Finals sweep against New York, so the offseason focus now shifts to how Mitchell fits with James Harden and Evan Mobley. If the Cavaliers keep that core intact, Mitchell should remain the team's top scoring option and a strong early-round fantasy anchor.

May 30

Evan Mobley • PF • Cavaliers

Evan Mobley Finishes Season-Ending Loss With 15 Points

Cleveland Cavaliers forward/center Evan Mobley tallied 15 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and one steal in Monday's 130-93 blowout loss to the New York Knicks. Mobley, who finished 7-for-15 from the field in Game 4, played well throughout the series, but the Cavaliers fell well short in other areas. The 24-year-old finished the second season of a five-year, $269 million contract. In 2025-26, Mobley averaged career highs with 1.7 blocks and 3.6 assists. While his three-point efficiency declined, Mobley still notched 18.2 points and grabbed 9.0 rebounds per game. His high-level two-way ability makes Mobley an outstanding fantasy asset, and he hasn't even reached his prime yet.

May 26

James Harden • SG • Cavaliers

James Harden Wants to Stay in Cleveland

Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden holds a $42.3 million player option on his contract for the 2026-27 season and wants to stay with the team, ESPN's Jamal Collier reports. "Definitely want to be here," Harden said after Monday's season-ending 130-93 loss to the New York Knicks. "I think we found something. It's tough. It's not ending how we wanted to, but I think we found something." Harden had a disappointing outing on Monday night, finishing with 12 points on a 2-for-8 effort from the field. But he showed strong play overall after arriving midseason from the Los Angeles Clippers, averaging 20.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 7.7 assists. The former MVP formed an excellent backcourt partnership with Donovan Mitchell. Cleveland went 16-6 with Harden and Mitchell in the lineup, and the team's 122.1 offensive efficiency with the two on the floor would have ranked first in the NBA over a full season.

May 26

Donovan Mitchell • SG • Cavaliers

Donovan Mitchell Remains Committed to Cavaliers

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell has no plans to move despite the team being swept in the Eastern Conference Finals by the New York Knicks. "I love it here. I don't know any other way to say it," Mitchell told reporters after Cleveland's season ended with a 130-93 blowout loss. The team struggled badly in Monday's elimination game despite Mitchell's 31 points. Mitchell reached the Conference Finals for the first time in his nine-year NBA career and clearly sees a bright future for the Cavaliers. He is eligible to sign a contract extension this offseason, ahead of his 30th birthday. While Mitchell isn't getting any younger, he still has plenty of fantasy value, having posted averages of 27.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 1.5 steals this season.

May 26

Cleveland Cavaliers News

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