NBA.com Releases Cavaliers' 2026-27 Season Outlook

Cleveland Cavaliers media day for the 2026-27 season is almost here, so NBA.com released its season outlook for Kenny Atkinson's group.   

The Cavaliers will look a little different next season after adding some new players and losing key guys from last season's squad. 

Additions: F Mario Hezonja, C Khalifa Diop, G Meleek Thomas, G Peyton Watson

Subtractions: G Keon Ellis, F Larry Nance Jr., G Dennis Schröder, F Dean Wade

The Cavaliers will start James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Watson, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen next season.

That's a lethal starting five on paper. 

Cleveland reached the Eastern Conference Finals last season, losing to the New York Knicks in four games. After losing Wade to the Philadelphia 76ers and watching hometown legend LeBron James sign with the 76ers as well, the Cavaliers acquired Watson from the Denver Nuggets in a sign-and-trade deal. 

"He’ll get ample time in the rotation, even more if his stint last season with the Nuggets wasn’t a tease," Shaun Powell wrote. "Assuming Watson is a real-deal solid two-way player, the Cavs will bring extra firepower against the top teams in the East.

"This also includes Harden, who showed signs of wear during the playoffs but was otherwise productive and, with the addition of Watson, can maintain fresher legs for a deep run."

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.  

The biggest move the Cavaliers made this summer was signing Mitchell to a massive extension. Mitchell agreed to a four-year, $273 million maximum contract extension with Cleveland.

The Cavaliers acquired Mitchell from the Utah Jazz in 2022. Mitchell is averaging 26.7 points per game in the regular season and 27.3 points per game in the playoffs in a Cleveland uniform.

If the Cavaliers falter in the 2027 playoffs, don't be surprised if Mitchell, Harden and Allen are not on the team in 2027-28.