Cleveland Cavaliers Rumors

Cavaliers Sign Javonte Green

February 23rd, 2025 at 12:36pm CST by Luke Adams

The Cavaliers have officially signed free agent swingman Javonte Green, the team announced today in a press release.

Green agreed to a buyout last week with the Pelicans and was placed on waivers on Thursday, allowing him to clear waivers and become an unrestricted free agent on Saturday. Reporting at the time of his buyout agreement indicated that he planned to sign with Cleveland once he reached the open market.

Green had been a solid contributor in New Orleans this season, stepping into a larger role than expected due to the myriad injuries affecting Pelicans regulars. In 50 games (18 starts) for New Orleans, the 31-year-old averaged 5.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.1 steals in 21.8 minutes per night, with a .446/.352/.758 shooting line.

While Green isn’t much of an offensive threat, he’s a versatile defender who can hold his own against a wide range of players. The 6’5″ veteran has spent time at shooting guard and both forward positions in recent years.

As we detailed on Saturday, Green gave up $696,955 in his buyout agreement with the Pelicans. Assuming he signed a prorated minimum-salary contract with Cleveland, which is likely, that’s the exact amount he’ll make with the Cavs for the rest of the season. Cleveland would carry a cap hit of $599,862 on a one-year, rest-of-season minimum deal.

Although Green had lined up a deal with the Cavs before clearing waivers, it’s worth noting that nearly every NBA team had the ability to block his move to Cleveland by placing a waiver claim on him, since he was on a one-year, minimum-salary contract that would’ve fit into the minimum salary exception. Only teams right up against a hard cap without the ability to fit Green’s previous $2.09MM cap hit on their books would have been ineligible to place a claim.

However, rival clubs are generally reluctant to submit waiver claims in that situation, not wanting to create bad blood with a player, his agent, and another front office. Some of the Cavs’ rivals are also operating deep in luxury tax territory or without open roster spots. As expected, Green passed through waivers without incident and the East’s top seed was able to fill its open 15th roster spot with a reliable depth option capable of playing rotation minutes if needed.

Meanwhile, Green’s old team in New Orleans dropped to 13 players on standard contracts after buying him out on Thursday. Teams can’t carry fewer than 14 players on their standard roster for more than 14 days at a time, so the Pelicans will have until March 6 to add a new 14th man.

How Wembanyama’s Absence Could Impact Grizzlies, Cavs

February 22nd, 2025 at 1:00pm CST by Luke Adams

The Spurs announced on Thursday that Victor Wembanyama's second NBA season has come to an early end after testing showed he has a deep vein thrombosis (a form of blood clot) in his right shoulder.

It's a scary diagnosis, but the Spurs caught it early and are said to be optimistic that it will be an isolated issue. There's a relatively recent NBA precedent to back up that belief -- Brandon Ingram's 2018/19 season came to an early end when he dealt with essentially the exact same condition. He was able to return to action later that year and hasn't had any blood clots since then.

Given that Wembanyama is a rising star who has a chance to become the long-term face of the NBA, his return to full health is obviously the top priority not only for the Spurs, but for the league as a whole. However, his absence for the rest of this season will have a fascinating ripple effect across the NBA that could have a significant long-term impact on either the Grizzlies or the Cavaliers -- or both.

In the space below, we'll dig into how Memphis and Cleveland will be affected by Wembanyama's health issue, Bobby Portis' 25-game suspension, the Pelicans' Javonte Green buyout, and more.

Let's dive in...

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Jarrett Allen Expected To Undergo MRI On Injured Hand

February 21st, 2025 at 11:15pm CST by Luke Adams

Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen suffered a right hand injury during the first half of Friday’s blowout win over New York, as Tom Withers of The Associated Press writes.

The injury didn’t force Allen to the sidelines immediately — he played a few minutes in the second half before exiting the game for good, finishing the night with 10 points and three rebounds in 20 minutes of action.

“X-rays were negative, so that’s good,” head coach Kenny Atkinson said after the victory. “I do think he’s going to get an MRI tomorrow. He came up to me during the game. He goes, ‘It’s really bothering me. I’m not going to be able to finish.’ But (it’s) good X-rays were negative.”

Allen told reporters that he may have injured the hand while trying to block a shot in the first quarter, but was otherwise reluctant to say much about it, according to Withers. Teammate Donovan Mitchell said the big man will be “fine.”

Allen has been available for each of the Cavaliers’ first 56 games this season. If he has to miss any time, frontcourt partner Evan Mobley would likely shift to center, opening up a forward spot in the starting five alongside Max Strus. De’Andre Hunter, Dean Wade, and Isaac Okoro would be the top candidates to fill that opening.

Evan Mobley Reiterates Belief He Can Become NBA’s Best Player

February 21st, 2025 at 10:35pm CST by Luke Adams

When The Athletic asked 14 players at All-Star weekend who will be the best player in the NBA in five years, Victor Wembanyama earned six votes and no one else received more than one, with a single exception: Evan Mobley. Of course, those two votes for Mobley came from teammate Darius Garland and the Cavaliers big man himself, who replied, “Maybe me or Victor.”

Asked after Thursday’s win over Brooklyn about that claim, Mobley doubled down on it, according to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com (subscriber link).

“I feel like if you don’t believe in yourself, then how are you going to get there? I just have belief in myself,” Mobley said. “I think I have the capability. I have the size, the stature, the skill set. Why not believe in that? … I feel like I have a lot of potential, so that’s my goal. I’m not focused on getting there today. Just every day, take it day by day.”

Garland didn’t back down from his All-Star weekend comments either.

“We’ve got the belief in him. He has belief in himself,” Garland said. “He has the confidence now. He is going to get better with time. In five years I don’t know where he is going to be. Seven-foot unicorn that’s dribbling and dunking behind his head like that, it’s pretty unusual. He has everything. He has all the tools just to be great. He’s just got to go get it.”

Mobley’s performance so far this season has been a good first step toward super-stardom. Entering Friday’s blowout win over the Knicks, he had averaged 18.5 points, 9.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.6 blocks per game through his first 49 outings, with a .567/.374/.760 shooting line. He put up 21 points on 9-of-11 shooting and was a plus-23 in just 25 minutes of action on Friday.

Mobley has been the defensive anchor for a Cavaliers team that ranks first in the Eastern Conference with a 46-10 record. He was named to his first All-Star team this season and figures to receive serious consideration for end-of-season awards like Defensive Player of the Year, Most Improved Player, All-NBA, and All-Defense.

According to Fedor, Donovan Mitchell said that playing alongside Mobley was a major reason why he chose to sign a multiyear contract extension with the Cavs last offseason. Mitchell was happy to see the 23-year-old express confidence in his ability to become one of the NBA’s best players.

“Hell yeah,” Mitchell said. “If you don’t believe in yourself, who will? I firmly believe that he’ll be a top-five player when he continues to get to his prime. He’s close. He’s got to continue to get better and better. He puts in the work. I think the everyday fan may not see it, but we see it. At the end of the day, he’s going to be up there. I have no doubt.

“I’m glad he said it. I’ve been trying to get him to speak on himself publicly. It’s about damn time he finally says something. Now the biggest thing for him is he’s got to go out there and do every night. I know he wants that.”

Javonte Green Bought Out By Pelicans, Plans To Sign With Cavaliers

February 20th, 2025 at 6:41pm CST by Arthur Hill

FEBRUARY 20: The Pelicans have officially waived Green, according to a release from the team.

FEBRUARY 19: Javonte Green has reached a buyout agreement with the Pelicans and plans to sign with the Cavaliers once he clears waivers, according to Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter link).

The 31-year-old swingman has appeared in 50 games this season, making 18 starts and averaging 5.8 points and 3.6 rebounds in 21.8 minutes per night. He’s shooting 35.2% from three-point range and will give Cleveland another veteran wing off the bench for its upcoming playoff run.

The Cavs had a pair of open roster spots after sending two players to Atlanta to acquire De’Andre Hunter at the trade deadline. The team faced a February 20 deadline to get its roster back up to 14 players, which it will accomplish when a 10-day contract with G League forward Nae’Qwan Tomlin is finalized. One more opening will remain, so another move won’t be necessary to add Green, assuming he’s not claimed by another team.

Green is making $2.4MM on the one-year deal he signed with New Orleans last summer. If he gives up any money in the buyout, it will likely be roughly what he’ll earn in Cleveland for the rest of the season on a veteran’s minimum contract.

The Cavaliers will remain below the tax line after adding Green, according to Bobby Marks of ESPN (Twitter link).

The Pelicans will be down to 13 players once the move is official, and they’ll have two weeks to fill at least one roster opening. It will likely happen by giving a standard contract to two-way guard Brandon Boston, who has been part of the rotation for most of the season.

Cavaliers Sign Nae’Qwan Tomlin To 10-Day Deal

February 20th, 2025 at 9:30am CST by Luke Adams

February 20: Tomlin’s 10-day deal is official, the Cavaliers confirmed in a press release.

February 19: The Cavaliers have agreed to sign G League forward Nae’Qwan Tomlin to a 10-day contract, league sources tell Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link).

As we outlined on Tuesday, Cleveland has been carrying 13 players on standard contracts since the trade deadline on February 6. Teams are permitted to carry fewer than 14 players on their standard rosters for no more than two weeks at a time, so the Cavs need to add a 14th man by Thursday. It appears Tomlin will be that 14th man.

A 6’10” rookie, Tomlin went undrafted last June after finishing his college career at Memphis. He signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Cavs last September, which allowed the club to gain his G League rights.

Tomlin has subsequently spent the 2024/25 season with the Cleveland Charge, appearing in 35 total Tip-Off Tournament and regular season games for the Cavaliers’ NBAGL affiliate. The 24-year-old has averaged 15.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.5 blocks in 28.6 minutes per contest, with a shooting line of .545/.362/.614.

As Scotto notes, Tomlin has been especially effective in recent weeks, scoring over 20 points in six of his past seven games, including a 37-point outburst vs. the Westchester Knicks on Feb. 7.

Tomlin will earn $66,503 on his 10-day contract with Cleveland, which will cover the club’s next five games. It’s unlikely that he’ll see much – if any – action for the Cavs, but he’ll be available if needed as a depth piece in the frontcourt.

After Tomlin’s 10-day deal expires, the Cavs would have the ability to carry fewer than 14 players for up to two more weeks before having to stay at 14 (or 15) for the remainder of the season, since teams aren’t permitted to drop below that roster minimum for more than 28 total days.

Cavaliers Considered Javonte Green Before Trade Deadline

February 19th, 2025 at 11:03pm CST by Arthur Hill

Javonte Green, who is expected to join the Cavaliers after completing a buyout with New Orleans, was one of the wings the team considered adding before the trade deadline, per Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com (Twitter link). Team officials believed Green was likely to be a buyout candidate, so they directed their trade efforts elsewhere and wound up with De’Andre Hunter.

Injury Notes: Edwards, Knicks, Turner, Wade, Thomas, LaMelo

February 19th, 2025 at 2:42pm CST by Luke Adams

Sixers rookie Justin Edwards sprained his left ankle during a post-All-Star practice this week, according to Derek Bodner of PHLY Sports (Twitter link).

The injury will cost Edwards at least a couple games. According to Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer (Twitter link), the 21-year-old has been ruled out for Thursday vs. Boston and Saturday vs. Brooklyn. The plan is for him to be reevaluated early next week.

The Sixers could be shorthanded in the backcourt coming out of the All-Star break. Kyle Lowry (hip) and Eric Gordon (wrist), who each missed the last two games prior to the break, didn’t participate in practice on Tuesday, Bodner notes. Lonnie Walker‘s reported deal with the team also isn’t yet official.

Here are a few more injury updates from around the NBA:

Knicks center Mitchell Robinson and forward OG Anunoby both fully participated in Wednesday’s practice, which included a 5-on-5 scrimmage, per head coach Tom Thibodeau (Twitter link via Ian Begley of SNY.tv). It was the first time this season that Robinson has advanced to 5-on-5 with contact. While the big man has yet to make his season debut following offseason ankle surgery, Anunoby has been out for five games due to a right foot sprain.
Myles Turner missed the Pacers‘ last three games before the All-Star break due to a cervical strain, but is expected to be available on Thursday vs. Memphis, writes Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star.
Cavaliers forward Dean Wade appears likely to sit out on Thursday during the first half of a back-to-back set before making his return on Friday, tweets Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com. Wade has been on the shelf since January 24 due to a right knee bone bruise.
Nets guard Cam Thomas will take part in his first 5-on-5 scrimmage on Thursday since going down with a hamstring strain on January 2, per Brian Lewis of The New York Post (Twitter link).
Hornets star LaMelo Ball is listed as probable to play on Wednesday vs. the Lakers (Twitter link), so it appears the right ankle sprain he sustained on February 10 wasn’t a significant one.

Warriors, Cavs Must Make Roster Additions By Thursday

February 18th, 2025 at 7:57am CST by Luke Adams

NBA roster rules require teams to carry at least 14 players on standard contracts for most of the regular season. Clubs are permitted to dip below 14 players for up to 14 days at a time and 28 days in total during a season.

[RELATED: 2024/25 NBA Roster Counts]

Several teams dropped below 14 players on standard contracts earlier this month as a result of trade-deadline deals, but most of them have since made additions to get them back to the league-mandated minimum. There are some exceptions, however.

Golden State Warriors

The Warriors briefly dipped to just 11 players on standard contracts after completing their trade for Jimmy Butler on February 6, then added a 12th man by converting Quinten Post from his two-way contract.

Golden State will be required to get back to 14 players on Feb. 20, which means making a pair of roster additions. One of those additions will reportedly be Kevin Knox, who is getting a promotion from the Santa Cruz Warriors after playing well this season for Golden State’s G League affiliate.

Besides Knox, the Warriors will have to add one more player to their standard roster by Thursday, either on a 10-day contract or on a rest-of-season deal.

Knox is reportedly receiving a 10-day contract, so it would make sense for the Warriors to go that route with their second addition as well. When those 10-day deals expire, the club could remain below 14 players for two more weeks before having to get back to 14 for the rest of the season. That would help Golden State navigate its hard cap and add a 15th man sooner.

Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cavaliers’ situation is pretty straightforward. They went from 14 players on their standard roster to 13 as a result of their two-for-one De’Andre Hunter trade on Feb. 6. They haven’t made a roster move since then, so they’ll need to sign a 14th man by Feb. 20, this Thursday.

None of the Cavaliers’ two-way players – Emoni Bates, JT Thor, and Luke Travers – have appeared in more than nine NBA games this season, so they don’t look like obvious candidates for promotions. The Cavs seem more likely to sign a free agent or promote a G League player from the Cleveland Charge.

Since their 14th man is unlikely to see the court much – if at all – the Cavs could opt to go the 10-day route for now and then make a decision on a rest-of-season commitment next month.

Sacramento Kings

Unlike the Warriors and Cavaliers, the Kings don’t face any immediate deadlines. But after Daishen Nix‘s 10-day contract expired on Monday night, they’re back down to 13 players on standard contracts. They’ll have until March 4 to re-fill that roster spot, though I suspect they may not wait that long.

Three-Peat For Mac McClung In Dunk Contest

February 15th, 2025 at 11:05pm CST by Arthur Hill

Mac McClung ensured his place alongside the other legends in NBA dunk contest history by winning the event for the third straight time Saturday night.

McClung got perfect scores on all four of his dunks and was a clear favorite of the Chase Center crowd. His final-round victory came over Spurs rookie Stephon Castle, who registered a 99.6 score with two impressive slams of his own. Andre Jackson Jr. and Matas Buzelis were eliminated in the first round.

McClung brought some excitement to the event on his first dunk when he leaped over a car and threw the ball down behind his head. He followed that by jumping over his dunk coach for a twisting slam, then dunked two balls at once — one held by a friend on a spinning hoverboard and another by a man on a ladder — and finished off the night by jumping over 6’11” Evan Mobley (who was standing on a small platform) and touching the ball against the rim before slamming it home (video collection via YouTube).

At a press conference following the event, McClung deflected a question on whether the three-peat means he should be considered the greatest dunker of all time (Twitter video link from Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic).

“I definitely don’t think that’s something for me to say,” McClung responded. “… I was just extremely honored to be part of this weekend. The biggest thing is I genuinely love this contest, and I’m very honored to be here and just very appreciative.”

McClung is on a two-way contract with the Magic and has only made one brief appearance in an NBA game this season. He plays for Osceola in the G League and has never been able to break through at the NBA level, getting into five total games with four teams since 2021.

McClung’s performance got the attention of other players around the league, including a couple of stars who hinted that they may consider participating in future dunk contests. Grizzlies guard Ja Morant tweeted, “Mac might make me decide to dunk,” and Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo responded, “If you do it. I’ll do it with you,” later adding, “I just gotta to warm up for three weeks prior to the contest.”

Damian Lillard missed the chance for another three-peat on Saturday, being eliminated in the first round of the Three-Point Contest after winning the event the past two years. Tyler Herro claimed this year’s crown by a point over Buddy Hield, with Darius Garland finishing third.

“I was definitely nervous going into the first round. But I thought I shot it pretty well in the second round, and then Buddy had the chance to tie it at the end,” Herro told reporters, including Joe Vardon of The Athletic. “Obviously a great competition, a bunch of great shooters. … Also, it felt cold in the arena the first time I went. For the second time, I felt more loose going right away.”

Mobley teamed with fellow Cavaliers All-Star Donovan Mitchell to capture the Skills Challenge in the night’s first event.