2026-27 Regular Season

[toooskies]

https://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/releases-james-harden-260908?fbclid=PAcGRvZgJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA81NjcwNjczNDMzNTI0MjcAAaeijmUUYs1BIcsTHrtVyBhGAu0I7ACBGOu_qKxDdWqxfa2yu66BjMk1gi1PBw_aem_Snxxdl7NcokxKNQX2_NGgA

Harden deal is now official. We are locked into our 14.

Idk if we'll be able to ever sign a 15th guy, even on the final day of the regular season, without another move.

Mario becomes guaranteed in mid November if that date comes to pass, cutting CPJ is our only avenue to add to our roster.

Everyone cross fingers and toes for good health this season.

Well, he was going to sign eventually. I don't see any numbers in the NBA release so it's possible he decided to leave a little room for a March/April acquisition.

[JujitsuFlip]

https://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/releases-james-harden-260908?fbclid=PAcGRvZgJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA81NjcwNjczNDMzNTI0MjcAAaeijmUUYs1BIcsTHrtVyBhGAu0I7ACBGOu_qKxDdWqxfa2yu66BjMk1gi1PBw_aem_Snxxdl7NcokxKNQX2_NGgA

Harden deal is now official. We are locked into our 14.

Idk if we'll be able to ever sign a 15th guy, even on the final day of the regular season, without another move.

Mario becomes guaranteed in mid November if that date comes to pass, cutting CPJ is our only avenue to add to our roster.

Everyone cross fingers and toes for good health this season.

Well, he was going to sign eventually. I don't see any numbers in the NBA release so it's possible he decided to leave a little room for a March/April acquisition.

https://heavy.com/sports/nba/cleveland-cavaliers/cavaliers-gabe-vincent-talks/

Looks like we were trying to bring Gabe Vincent aboard before talks broke down and we finally said screw it.

Idk if he was gonna come in to compete with CPJ for the backup PG spot in camp or what the details were. Either way, with the Harden signing official, looks like we're locked in to this 14.

Spotrac should have the official contract up in the next couple days, so we can see where year 1 of Harden's deal ended up.

[JujitsuFlip]

I don't see any numbers in the NBA release so it's possible he decided to leave a little room for a March/April acquisition.

Wow, that was quick. Spotrac has Harden's official numbers.

Year 1 came in at $30,647,619. That leaves the Cavs with $45k under the 1st apron hard cap.

If my math is correct, without any additional moves, we can fill the 15th roster spot on April 9th with a prorated 10+ year vet and it'll cost us right around $41k.

[toooskies]

I don't see any numbers in the NBA release so it's possible he decided to leave a little room for a March/April acquisition.

Wow, that was quick. Spotrac has Harden's official numbers.

Year 1 came in at $30,647,619. That leaves the Cavs with $45k under the 1st apron hard cap.

If my math is correct, without any additional moves, we can fill the 15th roster spot on April 9th with a prorated 10+ year vet and it'll cost us right around $41k.

Let's hope we don't have to sign anybody to a 10-day.

[JujitsuFlip]

I don't see any numbers in the NBA release so it's possible he decided to leave a little room for a March/April acquisition.

Wow, that was quick. Spotrac has Harden's official numbers.

Year 1 came in at $30,647,619. That leaves the Cavs with $45k under the 1st apron hard cap.

If my math is correct, without any additional moves, we can fill the 15th roster spot on April 9th with a prorated 10+ year vet and it'll cost us right around $41k.

Let's hope we don't have to sign anybody to a 10-day.

I don't think it's even possible. Morris' 10 day cost $183k back in 2024.

In the next 4 months we can always waive Porter Jr before his contract becomes guaranteed, if a hole arises on the roster.

[toooskies]

Wow, that was quick. Spotrac has Harden's official numbers.

Year 1 came in at $30,647,619. That leaves the Cavs with $45k under the 1st apron hard cap.

If my math is correct, without any additional moves, we can fill the 15th roster spot on April 9th with a prorated 10+ year vet and it'll cost us right around $41k.

Let's hope we don't have to sign anybody to a 10-day.

I don't think it's even possible. Morris' 10 day cost $183k back in 2024.

In the next 4 months we can always waive Porter Jr before his contract becomes guaranteed, if a hole arises on the roster.

Yeah, it definitely isn't possible.

The worry with that is injuries-- if we get down to 7 or fewer healthy guys, we can't technically play a game by NBA rules. That means 10 guys would have to get hurt before it's a game requirements issue, but possibly fewer than that in order to field a sensible team. It's unlikely that we need to worry about it but we've seen Dallas and Memphis and Indiana get to that point in the past few years, so it's not impossible.

[JujitsuFlip]

Let's hope we don't have to sign anybody to a 10-day.

I don't think it's even possible. Morris' 10 day cost $183k back in 2024.

In the next 4 months we can always waive Porter Jr before his contract becomes guaranteed, if a hole arises on the roster.

Yeah, it definitely isn't possible.

The worry with that is injuries-- if we get down to 7 or fewer healthy guys, we can't technically play a game by NBA rules. That means 10 guys would have to get hurt before it's a game requirements issue, but possibly fewer than that in order to field a sensible team. It's unlikely that we need to worry about it but we've seen Dallas and Memphis and Indiana get to that point in the past few years, so it's not impossible.

If we have 10 of our guys hurt all at once our season is probably a wrap anyway lol

[toooskies]

I don't think it's even possible. Morris' 10 day cost $183k back in 2024.

In the next 4 months we can always waive Porter Jr before his contract becomes guaranteed, if a hole arises on the roster.

Yeah, it definitely isn't possible.

The worry with that is injuries-- if we get down to 7 or fewer healthy guys, we can't technically play a game by NBA rules. That means 10 guys would have to get hurt before it's a game requirements issue, but possibly fewer than that in order to field a sensible team. It's unlikely that we need to worry about it but we've seen Dallas and Memphis and Indiana get to that point in the past few years, so it's not impossible.

If we have 10 of our guys hurt all at once our season is probably a wrap anyway lol

Yeah, I'm just saying the worst-case makes us have to make at least one tear-down trade to cut salary just to avoid forfeits. Most teams keep a buffer below aprons for that purpose and we don't have one.

[JujitsuFlip]

Yeah, it definitely isn't possible.

The worry with that is injuries-- if we get down to 7 or fewer healthy guys, we can't technically play a game by NBA rules. That means 10 guys would have to get hurt before it's a game requirements issue, but possibly fewer than that in order to field a sensible team. It's unlikely that we need to worry about it but we've seen Dallas and Memphis and Indiana get to that point in the past few years, so it's not impossible.

If we have 10 of our guys hurt all at once our season is probably a wrap anyway lol

Yeah, I'm just saying the worst-case makes us have to make at least one tear-down trade to cut salary just to avoid forfeits. Most teams keep a buffer below aprons for that purpose and we don't have one.

I am shocked we ran this all way up against the hard cap. I wish Harden woulda budged a lil bit on the salary, given we gave him a 3rd year player option.

[toooskies]

If we have 10 of our guys hurt all at once our season is probably a wrap anyway lol

Yeah, I'm just saying the worst-case makes us have to make at least one tear-down trade to cut salary just to avoid forfeits. Most teams keep a buffer below aprons for that purpose and we don't have one.

I am shocked we ran this all way up against the hard cap. I wish Harden woulda budged a lil bit on the salary, given we gave him a 3rd year player option.

The "we can sign one guy for the last game of the season to join us on the playoff roster" decision is the craziest. I guess if a two-way guy pops, they can get promoted to the main roster for a day and continue on, but I don't have any expectations for our two-way guys as of right now.

[JujitsuFlip]

Yeah, I'm just saying the worst-case makes us have to make at least one tear-down trade to cut salary just to avoid forfeits. Most teams keep a buffer below aprons for that purpose and we don't have one.

I am shocked we ran this all way up against the hard cap. I wish Harden woulda budged a lil bit on the salary, given we gave him a 3rd year player option.

The "we can sign one guy for the last game of the season to join us on the playoff roster" decision is the craziest. I guess if a two-way guy pops, they can get promoted to the main roster for a day and continue on, but I don't have any expectations for our two-way guys as of right now.

Yeah, if it's a guy with less experience, we could sign them sooner. Idk exact date wise but it still wouldn't be very many days.

Whatever the % is divided by 174 league days.

I'm interested to see if a mini camp + training camp helps us cut down on some of our unforced errors.

It is wild to me to think most of our guys are gone from that hot start team we had 2 years ago. Garland, Strus, Wade, Okoro, LeVert, Jerome, and Niang.

[JonFromVA]

I am shocked we ran this all way up against the hard cap. I wish Harden woulda budged a lil bit on the salary, given we gave him a 3rd year player option.

The "we can sign one guy for the last game of the season to join us on the playoff roster" decision is the craziest. I guess if a two-way guy pops, they can get promoted to the main roster for a day and continue on, but I don't have any expectations for our two-way guys as of right now.

Yeah, if it's a guy with less experience, we could sign them sooner. Idk exact date wise but it still wouldn't be very many days.

Whatever the % is divided by 174 league days.

I'm interested to see if a mini camp + training camp helps us cut down on some of our unforced errors.

It is wild to me to think most of our guys are gone from that hot start team we had 2 years ago. Garland, Strus, Wade, Okoro, LeVert, Jerome, and Niang.

Another way to look at that is to say the only player left that we drafted during the rebuild is Evan. Sexton, Garland, Windler, KPJ, Okoro, and Agbaji are all gone.

Also Jordan Clarkson, LNJ and LeBron may be the only players still in the league from the last LeBron-team? I guess that depends what KLove is up to, but it's sobering that there was so little young talent on that team that even had a chance to play in to the future.

[JujitsuFlip]

The "we can sign one guy for the last game of the season to join us on the playoff roster" decision is the craziest. I guess if a two-way guy pops, they can get promoted to the main roster for a day and continue on, but I don't have any expectations for our two-way guys as of right now.

Yeah, if it's a guy with less experience, we could sign them sooner. Idk exact date wise but it still wouldn't be very many days.

Whatever the % is divided by 174 league days.

I'm interested to see if a mini camp + training camp helps us cut down on some of our unforced errors.

It is wild to me to think most of our guys are gone from that hot start team we had 2 years ago. Garland, Strus, Wade, Okoro, LeVert, Jerome, and Niang.

Another way to look at that is to say the only player left that we drafted during the rebuild is Evan. Sexton, Garland, Windler, KPJ, Okoro, and Agbaji are all gone.

Also Jordan Clarkson, LNJ and LeBron may be the only players still in the league from the last LeBron-team? I guess that depends what KLove is up to, but it's sobering that there was so little young talent on that team that even had a chance to play in to the future.

I was thinking along those lines the other day. 4 of our 5 starters have come via trade.

But that's the same for the Knicks, Pacers, and Raptors too.

[toooskies]

Yeah, if it's a guy with less experience, we could sign them sooner. Idk exact date wise but it still wouldn't be very many days.

Whatever the % is divided by 174 league days.

I'm interested to see if a mini camp + training camp helps us cut down on some of our unforced errors.

It is wild to me to think most of our guys are gone from that hot start team we had 2 years ago. Garland, Strus, Wade, Okoro, LeVert, Jerome, and Niang.

Another way to look at that is to say the only player left that we drafted during the rebuild is Evan. Sexton, Garland, Windler, KPJ, Okoro, and Agbaji are all gone.

Also Jordan Clarkson, LNJ and LeBron may be the only players still in the league from the last LeBron-team? I guess that depends what KLove is up to, but it's sobering that there was so little young talent on that team that even had a chance to play in to the future.

I was thinking along those lines the other day. 4 of our 5 starters have come via trade.

But that's the same for the Knicks, Pacers, and Raptors too.

Well, the "we have to win now" mentality is what makes this so. There must be something wrong with a team that doesn't win a title and we have to make changes to fix it. I think that's actually counter-productive because the players who generally thrive at the highest levels are guys who have been through things together. And I also think it's a less fun rooting for guys you trade for than guys you draft, generally. At least until they sign an extension or new deal.

[JonFromVA]

Yeah, if it's a guy with less experience, we could sign them sooner. Idk exact date wise but it still wouldn't be very many days.

Whatever the % is divided by 174 league days.

I'm interested to see if a mini camp + training camp helps us cut down on some of our unforced errors.

It is wild to me to think most of our guys are gone from that hot start team we had 2 years ago. Garland, Strus, Wade, Okoro, LeVert, Jerome, and Niang.

Another way to look at that is to say the only player left that we drafted during the rebuild is Evan. Sexton, Garland, Windler, KPJ, Okoro, and Agbaji are all gone.

Also Jordan Clarkson, LNJ and LeBron may be the only players still in the league from the last LeBron-team? I guess that depends what KLove is up to, but it's sobering that there was so little young talent on that team that even had a chance to play in to the future.

I was thinking along those lines the other day. 4 of our 5 starters have come via trade.

But that's the same for the Knicks, Pacers, and Raptors too.

There's a lot of ways to build a team, but the draft is a foundational tool you don't like to see wasted especially when you're tanking for lottery picks.

[jbk1234]

Another way to look at that is to say the only player left that we drafted during the rebuild is Evan. Sexton, Garland, Windler, KPJ, Okoro, and Agbaji are all gone.

Also Jordan Clarkson, LNJ and LeBron may be the only players still in the league from the last LeBron-team? I guess that depends what KLove is up to, but it's sobering that there was so little young talent on that team that even had a chance to play in to the future.

I was thinking along those lines the other day. 4 of our 5 starters have come via trade.

But that's the same for the Knicks, Pacers, and Raptors too.

There's a lot of ways to build a team, but the draft is a foundational tool you don't like to see wasted especially when you're tanking for lottery picks.

I still have Garland as the best pick out of that draft and we selected him No. 4 overall.

Okoro's draft was rough. Wiseman and Pat Williams went ahead of him. Killian Hayes right after. It's hard to excited about Toppin as an alternative. Vassell is a borderline starter. The Cavs weren't going to reach on Hali and draft a PG three years in a row.

Agbaji never played a game for us and the Jazz thought enough of him for him to constitute an asset in the Mitchell trade. Windler turned out to be made of tissue paper and KPJ fell to the bottom of the draft for a reason. Late picks are a crapshoot and I feel like Wade was found money and Tyson was a definite hit in that regard.

Sexton was the one that hurt when you look at who was still on the board. SGA reportedly didn't want to play here (I'm not sure I would've cared), but Mikal Bridges was there and two-way wings with size are hard to find. They then compounded that mistake by holding onto him too long and ended up trading him coming off an injury and while he was a RFA.

At the end of the day, Altman's tenure will be judged based on going all in on Mitchell, doubling down on that with the Garland trade, and then tripling down with the extension and Harden's new contract. The cake is baked and it's going to taste how it's going to taste.

[jbk1234]

Another way to look at that is to say the only player left that we drafted during the rebuild is Evan. Sexton, Garland, Windler, KPJ, Okoro, and Agbaji are all gone.

Also Jordan Clarkson, LNJ and LeBron may be the only players still in the league from the last LeBron-team? I guess that depends what KLove is up to, but it's sobering that there was so little young talent on that team that even had a chance to play in to the future.

I was thinking along those lines the other day. 4 of our 5 starters have come via trade.

But that's the same for the Knicks, Pacers, and Raptors too.

Well, the "we have to win now" mentality is what makes this so. There must be something wrong with a team that doesn't win a title and we have to make changes to fix it. I think that's actually counter-productive because the players who generally thrive at the highest levels are guys who have been through things together. And I also think it's a less fun rooting for guys you trade for than guys you draft, generally. At least until they sign an extension or new deal.

Garland was a joy to watch when he was healthy and Harden's game can be tough purely from an aesthetic standpoint.

[JujitsuFlip]

Here is the list of the 15 free games offered over the airwaves for the 2026-27 season; for those of us in-network.

Spoiler:

[JujitsuFlip]

When you add in 3 more exclusively on NBC for free as well, 18 out of 82 games for free isn't bad. Get to catch about 1/5 of the season with an antenna.

[JonFromVA]

When you add in 3 more exclusively on NBC for free as well, 18 out of 82 games for free isn't bad. Get to catch about 1/5 of the season with an antenna.

Might be more than me... I have to cancel my NBA LP this year due to Verizon obsoleting my cable card, not sure if I'll bother renewing it. I guess it depends how the season goes. I might just enjoy those wonderful recaps the nba publishes to youtube this season ...