Cavaliers' Updated NBA Power Ranking After Kuminga, Watson, DeRozan, Klay Deals

There has been a lot of turnover in the NBA lately. 

The Cleveland Cavaliers acquired Peyton Watson from the Denver Nuggets, the Miami Heat signed Klay Thompson, the Nuggets signed DeMar DeRozan and the Minnesota Timberwolves signed Jonathan Kuminga. 

In the wake of all these moves, Bleacher Report updated its NBA power rankings and the Cavaliers come in at No. 8.

"The Cleveland Cavaliers were among the teams chasing LeBron James," Bleacher Report wrote. "And though they missed out on him, they got about as good a consolation as they could later in the offseason. Thanks to a sign-and-trade that cost them Max Strus and future picks (one first and one second), the Cavs added Peyton Watson's versatile defense, above-the-rim finishing and burgeoning catch-and-shoot skills.

"Shortly after pulling off that move, they re-signed James Harden and gave themselves one of the best and most complete starting fives in the NBA. Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Watson, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen bring plenty of playmaking, defense and shooting. And Cleveland is a real contender to represent the East in the Finals."

The Cavaliers will start Harden, Mitchell, Watson, Mobley and Allen next season and bring newcomer Mario Hezonja off the bench. 

Cleveland defeated the Toronto Raptors and Detroit Pistons to reach the Eastern Conference Finals last season for the first time since 1992 without LeBron on the roster. The Knicks, who won the 2026 championship against the San Antonio Spurs, swept the Cavaliers in the conference finals.    

Watson was a great addition by the Cavaliers, who needed a small forward after LeBron went to the Philadelphia 76ers and Dean Wade left Cleveland for Philadelphia. For the Nuggets last season, Watson averaged 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game while shooting 49.1% from the field, 41.1% from beyond the arc and 73.0% from the free-throw line. He's one of the best two-way wings in the NBA.

Watson signed a four-year, $88 million deal to join the Cavaliers. The deal includes a player option and a trade kicker.

Cleveland opens next season against LeBron and the 76ers in Philadelphia. That will be an electric atmosphere.

Can a core of Harden, Mitchell, Watson, Mobley and Allen win a championship? We'll find out soon.