Evan Mobley Expects Cavaliers Defense to Make 'Big Jump' This Season

The Cleveland Cavaliers finished 15th in the NBA in defensive rating last season at 115.1 points allowed per 100 possessions. Their offense ranked sixth, and their net rating of plus-4.1 ranked ninth.

This summer, Cleveland added Peyton Watson from the Denver Nuggets and Mario Hezonja from Real Madrid. Both are wings.

Speaking at Monday's media day, Mobley said the Cavaliers were okay on defense last season and believes the new personnel can help change that.

"I think definitely going to be more athletic, a lot of flying around, and I think defensively as well. We're going to make a jump," Mobley said. "I think last year we were okay at defense, but I think we could definitely make a big jump there, and this year I think we're going to focus a lot on that. And with our new personnel and guys on the perimeter, I think this is gonna make it a lot easier for other guys as well."

Hezonja signed a one-year, $2.85 million contract, his agent Michael Tellem told ESPN's Shams Charania. The veteran's minimum deal left Cleveland $35.5 million below the second apron at the time, according to ESPN's Bobby Marks.

The 31-year-old Croatian forward was named the 2025-26 Liga ACB Most Valuable Player with Real Madrid. The Orlando Magic drafted him fifth overall in 2015, and he last played in the NBA in 2019-20.

In 44 Liga ACB games last season, the 6-foot-9 forward averaged 17.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.9 assists.

In 330 NBA games with Orlando, the New York Knicks, and the Portland Trail Blazers, Hezonja averaged 6.9 points. He was the top scorer at the 2026 EuroLeague Final Four in Athens with 44 points over two games. Real Madrid lost the championship game 92-85 to Olympiacos. Real Madrid had won Liga ACB titles in 2024 and 2025 with him, according to Cleveland 19.

Watson came in a five-team sign-and-trade in late August and signed for four years and $88 million. The Cavaliers hope he has the kind of impact OG Anunoby had with the Knicks and Jaden McDaniels had with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Spectrum News reported at his introduction.

Dean Wade and Keon Ellis left Cleveland in free agency.

Watson averaged 14.6 points for Denver last season and made 41.1% of his 3-pointers. Mobley pointed first to what Watson adds on defense.

"I mean, he's a great player. Very athletic. He can get downhill, can get to his spots to score," Mobley explained. "And then defensively, I think he brings another aspect for us that's going to really help us with our perimeter defense. And his rotation, his athleticism, is one of a kind."

Last season started with pieces still moving. James Harden did not arrive until February, and he fractured his right thumb three weeks later.

This year, Cleveland has already had opportunities to work together before training camp.

"Starting off the year where we've already been doing little mini camps here and there, working out with each other, and going into training camp, everyone healthy and working out strong and working with our camaraderie, and adding [Peyton] Watson as well," Mobley said. "I think it's going to be very beneficial for us to start off strong, start the season strong and have that carry us all the way to the end."

Mobley, listed at 6-foot-11 and 215 pounds by Basketball-Reference, is entering his sixth season. He won Defensive Player of the Year in 2024-25 and played 65 games last season.

Mobley considers himself in his veteran years now and believes his experience will help him manage his body throughout the season.

"In the summer you don't necessarily play as much, so it's easier to keep it on," Mobley said. "But throughout the years, I mean, I'm year six now, so I feel like I'm kind of in veteran years, and so I kind of know how the league goes and how to maintain weight and maintaining your body as well and health and all that."

"So I'm just going to use all the experience that I've had from these past five years and use them to my benefit," Mobley continued. "So I keep that weight on and possibly gain."

Watson wears No. 8 for Cleveland. Hezonja wears No. 33.

Both are on the 21-player camp roster that arrives in Spain on Tuesday. Boston visits Rocket Arena for the preseason opener Oct. 8.