Cleveland Cavaliers

Front office and bench

Ownership

Dan Gilbert

President of Basketball Operations

Koby Altman since 2022

General Manager

Brandon Weems since 2026

Assistants

• Johnnie BryantAssociate head coach
• DeMarre CarrollAssistant coach
• Trevor HendryAssistant coach
• Mike GerrityAssistant coach
• Jawad WilliamsAssistant coach

The direction

What the franchise says and what its moves show

Cleveland is keeping its core four (Mitchell, Harden, Mobley and Allen) and locking it up long term, adding a young, defensive-minded wing in Watson. Koby Altman talks about a 'sustainable' build: more cap flexibility (below the aprons) without giving up on contending in the East. Evan Mobley and Jaylon Tyson are the young pieces that provide continuity.

Building around

Donovan Mitchell Evan Mobley James Harden Jarrett Allen

What they have said

• He said he was convinced the team has improved and that it was a very good summer despite LeBron's decision: more future, more flexibility and a more sustainable roster.

  President Koby Altman · AP / Spectrum News · September 2026

• He thanked Harden for accepting a three-year deal at a lower annual salary, which allowed them to get below the aprons and land Watson.

  President Koby Altman · Roundtable / AP · September 2026

What the data points to

• Deadline buyer Likely

  • Projects to 48.5 wins: built to compete now.
• Clean up the books Likely

  • Spends 209.3 M and is over the first apron.
  • Peyton Watson and Evan Mobley are paid more than they produce.
  • It is 8.9 M over the tax, and every extra million costs another one and a half or more in penalties.
  • Expiring contracts appeal to it: swapping long money for salary that runs out frees up room for the summer.

Moves

Summer 2026

• General manager Mike Gansey leaves to run the 76ers; Brandon Weems, a childhood friend of LeBron James, is promoted to general manager (September).
• They try to bring back LeBron James, who signs with the 76ers.
• Peyton Watson arrives from Denver in a sign-and-trade (four years, $88M); an unprotected first-round pick, among other assets, goes out.
• James Harden re-signs for three years and $97M, putting the team below both aprons.
• Donovan Mitchell signs a four-year, $273M extension (September).
• 2026 Draft: they move down from No. 29 to No. 34 and select Meleek Thomas (Arkansas).
• They sign Mario Hezonja; Max Strus (traded), Dean Wade, Dennis Schröder, Larry Nance Jr. and Keon Ellis depart.

Latest

• Oct 17 Waived Waived Fs Rashaun Agee, Tre'Von Spillers and Gs Zack Austin and Noam Yaacov.
• Oct 17 Waived Waived Fs Rashaun Agee and Tre'Von Spillers. Waived Gs Noam Yaacov and Zack Austin.
• Oct 14 Waived Waived G Jaxson Robinson.

The roster

14 NBA contracts · 2026-27 salaries

Strengths and weaknesses

Today's roster, facet by facet (league rank)

• Defense 12th
• Rim protection 5th
• Three-point shooting 11th
• Playmaking 13th
• Scoring 2nd
• Rebounding 6th
• Offensive impact 2nd

Roster holes

• Only 1 forwards in the rotationShort on bodies on the wing.

Contracts and extensions

Expiring this season

Nobody relevant is expiring this season.

Bargains (produce far above their salary, for several years)

None.

Pricey but short (paid more than they produce, but ending soon)

None.

Money and picks

Payroll 209.3 M Cap 165.0 M Tax 200.4 M 1st apron 209.0 M 2nd apron 221.7 M

Payroll

209.3 M · over the first apron

Distance to each line

tax: 8.9 M over · 1st apron: 0.3 M over · 2nd apron: 12.4 M below

Next summer

224.5 M committed · no cap space

First-rounders it can trade

None · 8 swaps

Radar and possible trades

Players who fit and that it can afford

• Saddiq Bey NOP6.4 M · signed through 2029-30, produces above his salary
• Kris Dunn LAC5.7 M · expiring contract, produces above his salary
• Kevin Porter Jr. MIL5.4 M · expiring contract, produces above his salary

A trade that works under the CBA

Trade pieces

Assets

James Harden (worth 7.5 M more than his salary), Jaylon Tyson (worth 6.9 M more than his salary), Craig Porter Jr. (worth 9.3 M more than his salary)

Contracts that weigh

Peyton Watson (overpaid by 12.1 M), Evan Mobley (overpaid by 11.4 M), Jarrett Allen (overpaid by 12.3 M)

To match salaries

No expiring contract with a useful salary