NBA Insider Reveals 'Under-the-Radar Concern' for Cavaliers

The Cleveland Cavaliers are expected to be a contender in the Eastern Conference again next season with James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen leading the way. 

However, NBA insider Jamal Collier of ESPN has some concerns about the Cavaliers' roster. 

"But if the Cavs are going to run into major trouble this season in an Eastern Conference that is expected to be even better, it could be because Harden or Mitchell has to miss extended time," Collier wrote. "The Cavs' depth has already taken some hits in recent years, and Dennis Schroder, who is entering his 14th season, was their only primary backup ballhandler during the postseason. Cleveland ran into some trouble during the playoffs just trying to give Harden and Mitchell a breather on the bench, and they were each overburdened at times trying to orchestrate the offense.

"The Cavs might have more pressing concerns -- the small forward position, depth, Harden's playoff woes and wondering how much of Evan Mobley's potential will be real or just tantalizing -- but their lack of backcourt depth could be a sneaky undoing if Schroder is not up to the task of sharing the workload."

The New York Knicks, who won the 2026 championship against the San Antonio Spurs, swept the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals. Since then, Cleveland has lost Dean Wade, Keon Ellis and Larry Nance Jr. 

To make matters even worse, franchise legend LeBron James signed with the Philadelphia 76ers instead of coming back home. 

After LeBron went to the 76ers, the Cavaliers signed Mario Hezonja. They are now trying to get Peyton Watson from the Denver Nuggets or Jonathan Kuminga. Watson is a restricted free agent, while Kuminga is an unrestricted free agent. 

For the Golden State Warriors and Atlanta Hawks last season, Kuminga averaged 12.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game while shooting 46.3% from the field, 33.3% from beyond the arc and 72.4% from the free-throw line. He played for Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson in Golden State. 

Meanwhile, 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.

Without LeBron, the Cavaliers' core remains the same: Harden, Mitchell, Mobley and Allen. Can that core get over the hump next season or will they falter in the playoffs again? 

Only time will tell.