CLEVELAND — As the smoke clears following the Cavaliers being swept in the Eastern Conference Finals by the New York Knicks, Cleveland now has a number of contract situations to consider.
The Cavs, who reached the Conference Finals without LeBron James on the roster for the first time since 1992 but were then crushed by the Knicks in four games, are balancing some goals being met while leaving the ultimate task unfulfilled.
The Cavs are reportedly keeping the front office and coaching staff in tact, which will help to stabilize things heading into 2026-27.
The next step is to figure out how — or if — to reshape the roster, along with navigating the first and second aprons of the NBA salary cap. The Cavs could have some financial flexibility with some cap-room creativity.
Cavaliers roster 2026
Here is who the Cavs have under contract for the 2026-27 season, along with their salary.
- Guard Donovan Mitchell ($50.1M)
- Forward Evan Mobley ($50.1M)
- Center Jarrett Allen ($28M)
- Wing Max Strus ($16.6M)
- Guard Dennis Schroder ($14.8M)
- Guard Sam Merrill ($9.1M)
- Guard Jaylon Tyson ($3.7M)
- Forward Nae’Qwan Tomlin ($2.4M)
- Guard Tyrese Proctor ($2.2M)
- Forward Riley Minix (two-way)
- Forward Tristan Enaruna (forward)
James Harden contract
Guard James Harden’s contract situation is in its own category here.
Harden is technically a potential free agent, as he has a player option valued at $42.3 million which gives him some control, but this is where he and the Cavs could do some maneuvering when it comes to the NBA salary cap.
While Harden could simply exercise the player option for the 2026-27 season, as all indications point toward him returning to Cleveland and both sides wanting to keep him in place, he could instead opt out and then sign a multi-year deal. That would equal more guaranteed money for him (important, considering he turns 37 in August), but the average annual value of the deal could be closer to $25 million for 2-3 years, rather than $42 million for one year. That would free up a huge chunk of space and help the Cavs get below the NBA’s second apron.
That is crucial for any other moves the Cavs want to make, as being below the second apron would again allow Cleveland to aggregate salaries in a deal to the same team.
Cavaliers free agents highlighted by Keon Ellis, Dean Wade
Even with any savings from Harden’s deal, the Cavs will need to fill out the roster while trying to stay under the second apron.
Their group of impending free agents include:
- Guard Keon Ellis
- Forward Dean Wade
- Center Thomas Bryant
- Forward Larry Nance Jr.
Ellis was a key part of the De’Andre Hunter trade and figures to be a target for the Cavs’ future rotation. The Cavs can give Ellis up to a three-year extension worth a max of $52 million, or $17.3 million per year.
Donovan Mitchell contract extension update
Star guard Donovan Mitchell, meanwhile, is under contract for next season. But the major question regarding his status this summer is around whether he signs a long-term extension to remain in Cleveland beyond that point.
Mitchell has two years remaining on his current deal and is eligible to sign a four-year, $272 million extension. He has a player option valued at $50.1 million for the 2027-28 season. If the Cavs sign him to an extension this summer, he would instead make $60.6 million that year and eventually reach $75.2 million in 2030-31, when he’s 34 years old.
If Mitchell waits until next summer, he would then be eligible to sign a five-year, $352 million deal with the Cavs.
Ryan Lewis covers the Cavaliers for the Akron Beacon Journal. He can be reached at rlewis1@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Cavs roster, contract update on James Harden, Donovan Mitchell