Cavs on the Clock: After Playoff Collapse, Cleveland Faces Costly Roster Decisions That Could Reshape the Franchise
Just weeks ago, the Cleveland Cavaliers appeared to be on the cusp of a historic breakthrough. Riding high off a 64-win regular season and boasting the league’s most efficient offense, the Cavaliers entered the playoffs as legitimate contenders — not just for the Eastern Conference title, but possibly their first NBA Finals appearance without LeBron James.
After a grueling second-round series against the Indiana Pacers that saw the Cavs fall in six games, the franchise now finds itself at a critical crossroads. Despite being built for sustained success — with its core of Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen all under 28 — Cleveland is now staring down a financial cliff that could force difficult decisions.
From Title Hopes to Tough Questions
Coach of the Year Kenny Atkinson managed to unlock the team’s offensive ceiling during the regular season, and Evan Mobley emerged as a defensive force, earning the league’s Defensive Player of the Year honors. Yet even with all the accolades, injuries, cold shooting spells, and controversial officiating calls derailed their postseason hopes.
“I’ve been around long enough to know that a team like this doesn’t come around often,” Atkinson said following the loss. “We had something special. But the league doesn’t wait for you.”
The loss was not just a setback — it may signal the beginning of the end for this version of the Cavaliers. That’s because the NBA’s new collective bargaining agreement imposes strict penalties on teams with bloated payrolls. And the Cavs? They’re nearly bursting at the seams.
Salary Cap Crunch Looms Large
Cleveland’s top four players — Mitchell, Garland, Mobley, and Allen — are all either on or about to begin massive contracts. Mobley’s new deal will jump to 30% of the salary cap after his DPOY win, a financial bonus with competitive consequences.
Meanwhile, supporting pieces like Max Strus, Isaac Okoro, and De’Andre Hunter are also drawing hefty salaries. Sixth Man of the Year finalist Ty Jerome and sharpshooter Sam Merrill are headed into free agency, and there may not be room to keep them.
League sources indicate that the Cavaliers are unlikely to be able to retain all of their current core without triggering second-apron penalties — restrictions that limit free agency maneuverability, trade flexibility, and even roster construction.
“The new CBA was designed to prevent superteams, and Cleveland, ironically, might be the first real casualty of that,” one anonymous GM told CBS Sports.
The Donovan Mitchell Dilemma
At the center of Cleveland’s conundrum is All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell. The 28-year-old can opt out of his current contract in 2026, but the Cavaliers may have to explore their options now. Trading him could preserve long-term flexibility — and bring back a king’s ransom — but it would also risk alienating fans and disrupting team chemistry.
“We want Donovan here long-term,” Cavaliers President Koby Altman said at the team’s exit interview press conference. “But we also have to balance our goals with the realities of the cap.”
If Mitchell signals he’s unwilling to re-sign, the front office may have no choice but to move him — potentially as early as this offseason.
What’s Next for the Cavs?
Several paths lie ahead, and none of them are easy.
Run it back and risk the financial penalties for one more shot at a title before the roster becomes unsustainable.
Trade a star — potentially Garland or Allen — to create breathing room while betting on internal development.
Rebuild around Mobley, leveraging veteran assets for picks and young talent to stay competitive in the long term.
With the Boston Celtics shaken by Jayson Tatum’s Achilles injury, and other Eastern powers like the Bucks and 76ers in flux, next season could offer a golden opportunity. But only if Cleveland can find a way to keep its core intact — or build a better one on the fly.
