The Cleveland Cavaliers enter the 2026-27 season as a contender for the NBA Title after reaching the Eastern Conference Finals last season.

However, it will be difficult for Cleveland as teams in the East have gotten better with the Miami Heat acquiring Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Philadelphia 76ers adding LeBron James and Jaylen Brown, and the Toronto Raptors trading for Kawhi Leonard.

There are other talented teams in the East with Tyrese Haliburton healthy for the Indiana Pacers, the Detroit Pistons led by Cade Cunningham, the Boston Celtics with Jayson Tatum, and the defending NBA Champion New York Knicks.

With all of these talented rosters, Cleveland needs to be consistent to have a good regular season and earn a top seed in the East.

The Cavs were active this offseason, completing a sign-and-trade to acquire forward Peyton Watson from the Denver Nuggets. Watson inked a four-year, $88 million deal with Cleveland after a career year in the 2025-26 season, averaging 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.1 blocks per game, shooting 49.1 percent from the field and 41.1 percent from three.

Cleveland also brought in Mario Hezonja in free agency while re-signing James Harden and extending Donovan Mitchell. Harden signed a three-year, $97 million deal, while Mitchell is locked up on a four-year, $273 million extension.

With the roster in place, head coach Kenny Atkinson should have a clear decision to make for his starting five.

PG: James Harden

SG: Donovan Mitchell

SF: Peyton Watson

PF: Evan Mobley

C: Jarrett Allen

Cleveland already knew that four of the spots should go to Harden, Mitchell, Mobley, and Allen, as all of them have been All-Stars in recent years. The starting small forward position was a question mark heading into the offseason, but with the Cavs' sign-and-trade deal for Watson, it became clear he should be the fifth starter.

Watson will be a quality 3&D forward while also providing athleticism to the starting unit. His game should fit well alongside the All-Stars around him.

The bench unit is more of a question mark for Cleveland compared to the other contenders in the East. The Cavs have one of the best starting lineups in the league without a doubt, but after making some cost-cutting moves to create flexibility to acquire Watson, they don't have the same level of rotational players.

If Cleveland's bench unit can be average, it will do wonders and help the Cavs compete for an NBA title next season.