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A couple days into NBA free agency, and the Cleveland Cavaliers still have lots to resolve.
They remain in the hunt for LeBron James. They've lost a couple of key rotational players who were strong defenders, leaving a hole they need to fill in their roster. And they still need to come to terms on a new, more cap-friendly contract with All-Star James Harden.
Plus, there's whatever other moves they have in the works that could help land them James or are meant to add depth back to the roster.
Here's a look at their roster, where they stand on James and other news that's developed in the last few days.
Obviously, where LeBron James wants to play next season is the biggest question for the Cavs, and others, are facing right now. Allowing Ellis and Wade to leave has cleared some cap space for the Cavs to bring James onto the roster, if he's interested. More moves, though, will be needed.
ESPN NBA reporter Dave McMenamin reported June 30 that James wants to continue playing for a competitive team.
With the Cavs fresh off a trip to the 2026 conference finals and having assorted current and recent NBA All-Stars on the roster, that makes them a fit in terms of being in the mix to contend for a title.
James spent the past eight seasons with the Lakers, where he won his fourth NBA title. His third NBA championship, of course, came with the Cavs in 2016 — the lone title in franchise history.
A return to Cleveland would be a storybook ending for the league's all-time leading scorer.
If the Cavs are to move players in an effort to land James, or to reshape the roster in other ways, the likely candidates are Max Strus and Dennis Schroder.
ESPN Senior NBA Writer Brian Windhorst has reported the Cavs are looking to move Schroder, who's owed roughly $14.8M next season.
As for Strus, in a radio interview with ESPN Cleveland, Windhorst said a potential trade is "definitely something to keep an eye on."
Windhorst views the logical outcomes for Cleveland with Strus is to either sign him to an extension or trade him, explaining it doesn't make sense to keep him around on a one-year deal.
James Harden, as was expected, declined his player option to make him a free agent, with the expectation he would re-sign with the Cavs, who traded guard Darius Garland to the Los Angeles Clippers for Harden this past season.
According to a report from The Athletic's Joe Vardon, Harden is waiting to re-sign to give the franchise the financial flexibility needed to possibly bring back LeBron James.
Within a couple of hours Tuesday evening, the Cavs lost two players from their rotation, frequent starting forward Dean Wade and backup wing Keon Ellis.
According to a report from ESPN's Shams Charania, Ellis is signing a two-year, $18 million deal with the Brooklyn Nets. Shortly after that, sign with the Brooklyn Nets, Charania is reported Wade will sign four-year, $39 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Both Wade and Ellis were strong defensive players for the Cavs. Wade has spent his entire seven-season NBA career with the Cavs, while Ellis was acquired by the team in a three-team trade with the Sacramento Kings in February that also sent point guard Dennis Schroder to Cleveland.
According to ESPN NBA Insider Shams Charania, the Cavs will retain center Thomas Bryant on a one-year contract extension.
Bryant was on the fringe of the Cavs rotation much of the season, averaging 12.2 minutes in his 60 games played. Bryant converted 50.6% of his field goals and 35.9% of his 3-point attempts throughout his first season with the Cavs.
Teams officially could begin negotiating with free agents at 6 p.m. ET June 30. Those players cannot be officially signed until 12:01 p.m. ET July 6, but agreements between key free agents and teams will be locked up well before that time.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Where the Cavs' roster stands now. Why they could still sign LeBron
Continue reading...
They remain in the hunt for LeBron James. They've lost a couple of key rotational players who were strong defenders, leaving a hole they need to fill in their roster. And they still need to come to terms on a new, more cap-friendly contract with All-Star James Harden.
Plus, there's whatever other moves they have in the works that could help land them James or are meant to add depth back to the roster.
Here's a look at their roster, where they stand on James and other news that's developed in the last few days.
Cavs roster, as of July 1
- *Thomas Bryant, center/forward, 6-9
- Jarrett Allen, center, 6-9
- Tristan Enaruna, forward, 6-7
- *James Harden, guard, 6-5
- Sam Merrill, guard, 6-4
- Riley Minix, forward, 6-7
- Donovan Mitchell, guard, 6-2
- Evan Mobley, forward/center, 6-11
- *Larry Nance Jr., forward, 6-6
- Craig Porter Jr., guard, 6-1
- Tyrese Proctor, guard, 6-4
- Olivier Sarr, center, 6-10
- Dennis Schroder, guard, 6-1
- Max Strus, wing, 6-5
- Nae’Qwan Tomlin, forward, 6-8
- Meleek Thomas, guard, 6-3
- Jaylon Tyson, wing, 6-6
- * Denotes free agent
- Note:Bryant has agreed to a contract to remain a Cavalier. Harden is expected to re-sign with team after declining his player option.
Players from 2025-26 Cavs roster who are signing as free agents with new teams
- Dean Wade, forward, 6-9 (reportedly signing with 76ers)
- Keon Ellis, guard, 6-4 (reportedly signing with Nets)
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Is LeBron coming back to Cleveland?
Obviously, where LeBron James wants to play next season is the biggest question for the Cavs, and others, are facing right now. Allowing Ellis and Wade to leave has cleared some cap space for the Cavs to bring James onto the roster, if he's interested. More moves, though, will be needed.
The case for LeBron with the Cavs
ESPN NBA reporter Dave McMenamin reported June 30 that James wants to continue playing for a competitive team.
With the Cavs fresh off a trip to the 2026 conference finals and having assorted current and recent NBA All-Stars on the roster, that makes them a fit in terms of being in the mix to contend for a title.
James spent the past eight seasons with the Lakers, where he won his fourth NBA title. His third NBA championship, of course, came with the Cavs in 2016 — the lone title in franchise history.
A return to Cleveland would be a storybook ending for the league's all-time leading scorer.
Cavs trade candidates
If the Cavs are to move players in an effort to land James, or to reshape the roster in other ways, the likely candidates are Max Strus and Dennis Schroder.
ESPN Senior NBA Writer Brian Windhorst has reported the Cavs are looking to move Schroder, who's owed roughly $14.8M next season.
As for Strus, in a radio interview with ESPN Cleveland, Windhorst said a potential trade is "definitely something to keep an eye on."
Windhorst views the logical outcomes for Cleveland with Strus is to either sign him to an extension or trade him, explaining it doesn't make sense to keep him around on a one-year deal.
James Harden's future with the Cavs after opting out of contract at start of free agency
James Harden, as was expected, declined his player option to make him a free agent, with the expectation he would re-sign with the Cavs, who traded guard Darius Garland to the Los Angeles Clippers for Harden this past season.
According to a report from The Athletic's Joe Vardon, Harden is waiting to re-sign to give the franchise the financial flexibility needed to possibly bring back LeBron James.
Dean Wade, Keon Ellis leaving Cavs as free agents
Within a couple of hours Tuesday evening, the Cavs lost two players from their rotation, frequent starting forward Dean Wade and backup wing Keon Ellis.
According to a report from ESPN's Shams Charania, Ellis is signing a two-year, $18 million deal with the Brooklyn Nets. Shortly after that, sign with the Brooklyn Nets, Charania is reported Wade will sign four-year, $39 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Both Wade and Ellis were strong defensive players for the Cavs. Wade has spent his entire seven-season NBA career with the Cavs, while Ellis was acquired by the team in a three-team trade with the Sacramento Kings in February that also sent point guard Dennis Schroder to Cleveland.
Thomas Bryant to sign 1-year deal with Cavs
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According to ESPN NBA Insider Shams Charania, the Cavs will retain center Thomas Bryant on a one-year contract extension.
Bryant was on the fringe of the Cavs rotation much of the season, averaging 12.2 minutes in his 60 games played. Bryant converted 50.6% of his field goals and 35.9% of his 3-point attempts throughout his first season with the Cavs.
When does NBA free agency begin?
Teams officially could begin negotiating with free agents at 6 p.m. ET June 30. Those players cannot be officially signed until 12:01 p.m. ET July 6, but agreements between key free agents and teams will be locked up well before that time.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Where the Cavs' roster stands now. Why they could still sign LeBron
Continue reading...
