Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and Donovan Mitchell lead a Cavs team chasing redemption after last season’s playoff exit.
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2024-25 Record: 64-18 (1st in East, lost in Conference Semifinals)
The Cleveland Cavaliers stormed through the regular season, scoring the eighth-most points in NBA history (9,999) en route to an East-best 64 wins — two shy of their franchise record.
Cleveland led the conference for 165 straight days and it was the only team to produce three 2025 All-Stars (Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland and Evan Mobley). Mobley also won Kia Defensive Player of the Year, while Kenny Atkinson was named Coach of the Year.
But after sweeping Miami in the first round of the playoffs, the Cavs’ season ended in the Eastern Conference semifinals for a second straight season, falling 4-1 to the Indiana Pacers.
Now, Cleveland’s running it back with a pair of key additions, looking to translate its regular-season success into a deeper postseason run.
Offseason
- Re-signing: Sam Merrill
- Additions: Lonzo Ball (trade), Larry Nance Jr. (free agent)
- Draft: Tyrese Proctor (49th pick), Saliou Niang (58th pick)
- Departures: Javonte Green (free agent), Ty Jerome (free agent), Chuma Okeke (overseas), Isaac Okoro (trade)
- Unsigned Free Agents: Tristan Thompson
Cleveland made a notable backcourt move this summer, trading Isaac Okoro to Chicago for Lonzo Ball. While Ball has battled injuries, he brings two-way playmaking to a backcourt that will be tested early, with Garland recovering from toe surgery and Max Strus expected to miss at least the first month of the season following foot surgery.
The Cavs did lose 2024-25 Kia Sixth Man of the Year candidate Ty Jerome in free agency, but reunited with Larry Nance Jr., adding veteran depth to a defense that fell from fifth in the regular season to last in the conference semifinals.
Meanwhile, the core of Mitchell, Garland, Mobley and Jarrett Allen returns, joined by De’Andre Hunter in his first full season with the team after being acquired at midseason. With continuity and defensive reinforcements, Cleveland boasts one of the league’s most balanced rosters and the talent to compete for a championship.
X-factor
Evan Mobley. He is already one of the league’s most versatile big men, and he’s only getting better.
Entering his fifth season, the 7-footer can protect the rim, switch onto smaller guards, score off the dribble and has a burgeoning outside game.
Last year, Mobley shot 37% from on 3-pointers, knocking down 85 3-pointers (after totaling 67 in his first three seasons combined). He also expanded his attack off the dribble, increasing his drives per game from 4.7 in 2023-24 to 6.6 last season.
The result led to career highs in both points (18.5) and assists (3.2). Already one of the NBA’s premier defenders, Mobley’s offensive evolution could be the X-factor that pushes the Cavs over the top.
> Watch Evan Mobley on NBA League Pass
One key question
Can Cleveland stay healthy enough to take the next step?
The team has proven it can dominate the regular season, but injuries have derailed its last two playoff runs. In 2024, Allen and Mitchell missed multiple games against the Boston Celtics. Last May, Garland, Mobley and Hunter all missed time in the semifinals loss to Indiana.
Cleveland now enters 2025-26 with Garland and Strus recovering from surgery.
Both should be back by the stretch run, giving the Cavs a chance to return to full strength when it matters most. The question is simple: can this group stay on the floor through the postseason and finally break through?
Fantasy Outlook from RotoWire
The team at RotoWire broke down the top fantasy options for each team in the East. Here’s how they broke down some of the best options from the Cavs:
“Donovan Mitchell led the charge last season, averaging team highs of 24.0 points and 1.3 steals per game. It marked his sixth consecutive season averaging at least 24.0 points per game, and he remains in place to prosper among a well-balanced and familiar lineup. Meanwhile, Darius Garland played a career-high 75 games through 2024-25, delivering 20.6 points on 47.2% shooting, with 6.7 assists per game. Additionally, the Cavs’ frontcourt duo consisting of reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen are poised to continue to dominate the interior and should help pave the way for another top-tier finish for the club.”
Key dates
- Preseason Opener: Oct. 7 vs. Bulls (7 ET, Peacock)
- Regular Season Opener: Oct. 22 at Knicks (7 ET, ESPN)
- Home Opener: Oct. 26 vs. Bucks (6 ET, League Pass)
- Emirates NBA Cup East Group A Play: Oct. 31 vs. Raptors (7:30 ET, League Pass), Nov. 7 at Wizards (7 ET, League Pass), Nov. 21 vs. Pacers (7 ET, Prime), Nov. 28 at Hawks (7:30 ET, League Pass)
- NBA Christmas Day: Dec. 25 at Knicks (12 ET, ABC & ESPN)
- MLK Day: Jan. 19 vs. Thunder (2:30 ET, NBC & Peacock)
- Rivals Week: Jan. 21 at Hornets (7 ET, ESPN)
What they’re saying
Joe Vardon, The Athletic: “I like the Lonzo Ball acquisition and am glad Isaac Okoro gets a chance in Chicago. I don’t mind not paying Ty Jerome way above market value, given his struggles in the playoffs, and Tyrese Proctor out of Duke made sense to me with the 49th pick. Otherwise, the Cavs simply weren’t in a position to make that splashy trade. They committed to this roster two years ago, and they need to ride out their commitment for at least this season.” (Read More)
