Cleveland Cavaliers Season Preview: Lineup, Roster And Prediction

The Cleveland Cavaliers entered the LeBron James sweepstakes this offseason before having to pivot to other options to maximize their championship window. But after being swept by the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals last season, the pressure is mounting on this Cavaliers core.

Donovan Mitchell and James Harden are back with new contracts to lead the Cavaliers, and Peyton Watson arrives on the wing via sign-and-trade after a breakthrough season with the Denver Nuggets. The continued pairing of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen inside gives Cleveland a potent lineup capable of competing with the NBA's elite.

But the Cavaliers can't prove much else in the regular season at this point. They're banking on Mitchell's long-term viability as a premier scorer, internal improvement and Watson's potential to turn this conference finalist into a real contender once the playoffs start again.

Here's a breakdown of the Cleveland Cavaliers' offseason moves and what to expect from them heading into the 2026-27 NBA season:

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS SCHEDULE: Dates, times and opponents for 2026-27 season

Cleveland Cavaliers offseason review

• Record last season: 52-30 (4th in Eastern Conference)
• Playoff finish: Lost to Knicks in Eastern Conference Finals
• Coach: Kenny Atkinson (3rd season)
• 2026-27 title odds: +2500 (per BetMGM)
• Projected record: 44-38
• Offseason grade: C-

Key roster additions

• G Meleek Thomas (No. 34 pick in 2026 NBA Draft)
• F Peyton Watson (trade)
• F Mario Hezonja (free agent signing)
• C Khalifa Diop (No. 39 pick in 2022 NBA Draft)

Key roster losses

• G Max Strus (trade)
• G Dennis Schroder (trade)
• G Keon Ellis (free agent)
• G Lonzo Ball (free agent)
• F Dean Wade (free agent)
• F Larry Nance Jr. (free agent)

Biggest question entering training camp

Can Donovan Mitchell be the best player on a championship team?

• Though concerns about Mitchell's capabilities as a No. 1 option in the playoffs aren't new, they were amplified by the Cavaliers' disappointing exit from the playoffs and the massive contract extension he signed this offseason. Mitchell's four-year, $273 million deal ties him to the Cavaliers for the foreseeable future, but will also limit the front office's flexibility given the restrictive NBA salary cap rules.

Projected starting lineup and rotation

Starters

• G James Harden
• G Donovan Mitchell
• F Peyton Watson
• F Evan Mobley
• C Jarrett Allen

Rotation players

• G Tyrese Proctor
• G Sam Merrill
• G Meleek Thomas
• G/F Jaylon Tyson
• F Mario Hezonja
• F Nae'Qwan Tomlin

What to expect in 2026-27 season

The Cavaliers gave up some of their depth in order to add Watson to the fold and re-sign Mitchell and Harden, but they should have one of the best records in the Eastern Conference again if their core stays healthy. The challenge remains the playoffs, where Watson's help on the wing won't fix that the team's title hopes still ultimately hinge on Mitchell and an aging Harden.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cleveland Cavaliers season preview: Lineup, roster and prediction

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