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Bruski 150SportsEthos 2026 Fantasy Basketball Draft Guide
Fantasy Basketball Draft Guide 2026: Cleveland Cavaliers Team Preview
Last Updated on August 30, 2026 3:15 am by Mike Passador | Published: August 30, 2026
How’d We Get Here?
The Cavs are coming off perhaps the least inspiring Conference Finals trip of all time between their performance and expectations. A midseason trade for James Harden was meant to elevate the Cavs’ ceiling and technically it did, though a seven-game nailbiter against a Raptors team that was missing its starting PG for the whole series and its top scorer for the final two games and then a rock fight win over an overmatched Pistons squad didn’t instill much confidence. Cleveland got dismantled by the Knicks and had a little offseason soul searching to do, but the result is very little change. The Cavs decided to keep Kenny Atkinson as their coach and decided against a core-altering trade; in fact they signed Donovan Mitchell to a max contract extension. A pursuit of LeBron James didn’t go anywhere and the Cavs decided to make Peyton Watson the big summertime pickup at the roster cost of Max Strus. It’s a bold move but it largely feels like the Cavs are hoping once again that internal improvement and continuity will take them to the next level.
For a full recap of last season to set the table, check out our Cleveland Cavaliers Season Wrap!
The Cleveland Cavaliers Season Wrap
Offseason Moves
Arrivals: Peyton Watson, Mario Hezonja
Rookie Arrivals: Meleek Thomas (No. 34), Ernest Udeh Jr. (UDFA 2W)
Departures: Max Strus, Dean Wade, Dennis Schroder, Keon Ellis, Larry Nance Jr.
Retained: Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Thomas Bryant
Depth Chart and Minutes Per Game
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Mike graduated from Boston University’s Dual Degree Program with a BA in Economics and a BS in Business with Concentrations in Marketing and Operations Management. He is a faithful supporter of Toronto sports and the Detroit Lions and is always ready to be let down. Tweet to him @Mike_Pandador, but if you badmouth Jose Calderon you might get blocked.
