The Cavaliers made a major splash last summer, trading for star guard Donovan Mitchell after an impressive turnaround in 2021/22. Mitchell made his first All-NBA appearance in ’22/23 following an excellent all-around year, but Cleveland — which went 51-31 during the regular season and entered the playoffs as the East’s No. 4 seed — had an early postseason exit, falling to the Knicks in a rather lopsided first-round series.
In addition to experience, the Cavaliers needed to find more shooting, depth and perhaps most importantly a good fit at small forward entering ’23/24. The team prioritized re-signing free agent swignman Caris LeVert as well, giving him a two-year, $32MM contract.
As an over-the-cap team, the Cavs didn’t have a ton of money to spend on free agents this offseason, and they only held one pick in June’s draft — 49th overall — which they used on former Eastern Michigan wing Emoni Bates, later signing him to a two-way contract. They also quickly reached an agreement to sign undrafted guard Craig Porter Jr. to a two-way deal and filled their third two-way slot by re-signing Isaiah Mobley.
In free agency, the Cavaliers took advantage of the new CBA’s more lenient salary-matching rules for non-taxpaying teams to give former Heat wing Max Strus more money than he previously would have been eligible for based on the outgoing salaries involved in the sign-and-trade to land him. They also gave forward Georges Niang a significant chunk of their non-taxpayer mid-level exception and used a portion of their bi-annual exception on guard Ty Jerome.
As our roster count shows, the Cavs still have a couple of standard roster spots open, but will almost certainly only add one more player to their main roster due to their proximity to the luxury tax. All three two-way slots are filled, as previously mentioned. Eventually, they’ll add some players on Exhibit 10 training camp deals to fill out their G League team.
Here’s a more condensed rundown of their offseason moves:
Roster additions:
- Strus (four-year, $62.3MM contract via sign-and-trade)
- Niang (three-year, $26MM deal)
- Jerome (two-year, $5MM deal)
- Damian Jones (via trade for cash)
- Bates
- Porter
- Pete Nance (Exhibit 10 deal; not official)
Subtractions:
- Cedi Osman (traded to Spurs in Strus deal)
- Lamar Stevens (same as Osman, except Stevens was released before his contract became guaranteed and is currently an unrestricted free agent; he’s ineligible to re-sign with Cleveland)
- Dylan Windler (joined Knicks on two-way deal)
- Robin Lopez (signed with Bucks)
- Raul Neto (signed with Turkish club Fenerbahce)
Danny Green and Mamadi Diakite (two-way) remain unrestricted free agents.
It’s worth noting that Ricky Rubio, who returned to action last season following a torn ACL, recently announced that he was taking a break from basketball to focus on his mental health. It’s unclear how that will affect the veteran guard’s status entering next season.
We want to know what you think. Did the Cavs improve this summer? Will they advance past the first round of the playoffs in 2023/24, assuming they make it in? Head to the comments and share your thoughts on Cleveland’s offseason.
The cavs had a great offseason. There isn’t nearly enough emphasis put on continuity. Players need more than a season to really play well together, and to share experience. Cavs have a great young core and without a runaway favorite in the East it’s wide open. Lebron didn’t start winning titles year one, the warriors core took years together before finally becoming the legitimate yearly contender they are now. While Denver had injuries holding them back, they had all the talent and just needed time together to grow.
The only negative I can point out is that Niang isn’t as defensively versatile as some of the other 3nD forwards on the market this offseason. That said, Isaiah Mobley will become a full-time player by the end of the season, and he’ll be good enough defensively at PF and Center to make it work, while Okoro is a defensive wizard at the 2 and 3. Strus being undersized at the 3 is a little worrying, but he has the chops to compete there. I’m expecting another Top 4 finish for us, but with less drama and over-reliance of Mitchell this year. I also like the growth of some of our fringy players. We look good this year.
I just wish we didnt have to get rid of lamar stevens he was a great role player that was getting better as the season played out. Hope he finds a good team to use him.
Even with the addition of Strus I think they still need a more defensive minded SF. Hopefully Okoro can fill that need.
They should be very good though, with another off-season to develop for Mobley and continuity in the core they should be top 3 in the East. It wouldn’t surprise me to see them in the finals if they get the right breaks.
I expect that Bates will become the starting Small Forward in a season or 2. He has the tools but will need time to bulk up enough to really help. That said in summer league play he showed a lot of talent on defense at a spare 180 pounds. At about the same time Luke Travers should be ready to play in the NBA. He is amazing on defense and is working on his 3 point shot in Australia. He shot over .400 this last season but needs to take more shots. Strus, Niang and Okoro can probably hold down the fort until they arrive. If you look at last year’s numbers you will notice that Garland, Mitchell and LeVert had the best defensive seasons of their careers. JB teaches defense. Strus, Niang and company will learn and get better.
Don’t think they will be much better than last year. 3rd seed is probably their ceiling, more likely 4-7. Miami, Boston, Milwaukee all clearly better. I’d take Philly over them even if they trade Harden. Knicks probably better as well.
The East will not be as strong this next year. Even if it is this Cavaliers team will be better than last year. We have filled the team’s largest needs. That and the core 4 are very young and will only improve. Mobley will likely become a real offensive threat in paint and from mid range. With the addition of so many shooters he and Allen should get to the basket easier. Mobley will likely have put on 10 to 20 pounds of Muscle which can only make him better. I expect 55 to 60 wins. It will be important for Evan Mobley’s big brother Isaiah to upgrade to a standard deal. Evan and Jarrett need a backup who can play defense the way they do. Otherwise every time 1 of them leave the floorthe momentum will leave with them. We can use Pete Nance in his 2 way slot. Can’t wait for the season to start.
The Cavs are the 2nd most improved team in the leauge period. They are the only team in the east that can stay close to the Bucks whom are legit to win 70 games despite themselves.
Having said that this is not the time be worrying about the luxury tax. I suspect Merrill will get the one open spot.
They have real time decisions to make when it comes to Bates and Porter Jr.
Merrill is already one of the 13 on the active roster. That said your other points make perfect sense. Though I don’t see Milwaukee winning 70 games they should be the league’s best team if they can stay healthy. Especially the big 3. The Bucks lost to the Heat because Antetokounmpa was hurt. The core of the 21 title team is still there but the bench is much deeper. The Cavaliers can pass them if they have grown enough or the Bucks have injured players. The Cavaliers likely peak with this team will be in the 2024-2025 season. If Mitchell stays the season or 2 after that could be better.