RADIO
Max Strus Emerges as Cavaliers Trade Piece
Cleveland Cavaliers guard/forward Max Strus has surfaced as a salary-matching piece in the team's pursuit of Denver restricted free agent Peyton Watson, with Evan Sidery reporting that Cleveland is looking for a team willing to take on Strus' $16.7 million expiring contract. The 30-year-old missed the first 67 games last season after left foot surgery, then averaged 11.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.0 assists across 12 games while shooting 40.2 percent from deep. Strus still has value as a floor-spacer, but his fantasy outlook depends heavily on landing spot. If he is moved, Jaylon Tyson could get a cleaner path to wing minutes, while Sam Merrill would remain a bench shooting option.
Source: Evan Sidery
Source: Evan Sidery
Tre Mann Heads to Cavaliers
Charlotte Hornets guard Tre Mann was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Dennis Schroder and cash, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Mann gives Cleveland a younger, cheaper backcourt piece, but the fantasy path is narrow with James Harden and Donovan Mitchell controlling most of the guard usage. The former Florida standout averaged 5.5 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 12.6 minutes across 53 games last season while shooting 36.0 percent from the field and 32.3 percent from three. Cleveland's guard room leaves him buried for now, so Mann stays off the fantasy radar barring injuries ahead of him.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Dennis Schroder Lands in Charlotte
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Dennis Schroder was traded to the Charlotte Hornets along with cash in exchange for Tre Mann, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The 32-year-old lands with the 12th team of his NBA career and gives Charlotte a veteran option behind Coby White. Schroder split last season between Sacramento and Cleveland, averaging 10.8 points, 4.9 assists, and 2.7 rebounds in 24.2 minutes per game. He should slot ahead of Christian Anderson Jr. as the primary backup point guard, which trims the rookie's early runway. Schroder can provide assists in short bursts, but he is only a low-end fantasy option if injuries open more minutes.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Dennis Schroder Leads Germany Into FIBA Qualifiers
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Dennis Schroder will captain Germany's 15-player roster for the upcoming FIBA World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers, with the German Basketball Federation announcing the squad Tuesday. The reigning world and European champions will face the Netherlands in Cologne on Aug. 27 before visiting Poland in Gdansk on Aug. 30. Schroder split last season between Sacramento and Cleveland, averaging 10.8 points, 4.9 assists, and 2.7 rebounds in 24.2 minutes across 70 games. There is no fantasy angle to the qualifying window. If he remains with Cleveland, Schroder profiles as a bench source of assists and occasional threes rather than a steady fantasy option.
Source: Eurohoops
Source: Eurohoops
Cavs Delay James Harden Signing
The Cleveland Cavaliers and guard James Harden have a contract agreement in place, but the deal will remain unsigned for now to preserve apron flexibility for another starter, per Evan Sidery. Cleveland has been tied to restricted free-agent forward Peyton Watson in sign-and-trade talks while also staying in the mix for Jonathan Kuminga, so delaying Harden's deal gives the front office more room to maneuver. Harden's return is expected, but fantasy managers should avoid treating it as official until the contract is signed. Once back, the 36-year-old should remain a strong source of assists, points, threes, and free-throw impact next to Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley. Any added wing would likely carry more real-life value than high-end fantasy usage on a loaded Cavs roster.
Source: Evan Sidery
Source: Evan Sidery
Meleek Thomas Drops 35 Points in First Summer League Win
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Meleek Thomas dropped 35 points, three rebounds, three assists, two steals, one block, and five three-pointers in Monday's 90-73 Summer League win over the Miami Heat. Thomas shot 14-for-23 from the field, 5-for-9 from deep, and 1-for-1 at the line. The No. 34 pick has now scored 20, 30, and 35 points in his first three Las Vegas games, giving Cleveland a real shot-creation bright spot. Thomas is unlikely to have a clean rookie-year fantasy path without rotation minutes, but the scoring burst, threes, and steals make him a name to track beyond Summer League.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Meleek Thomas Looks Sharp in Summer League Debut
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Meleek Thomas made his Summer League debut against the Indiana Pacers on Friday. He put together a solid outing, showing off his scoring ability. Thomas finished with 20 points (7-of-15 FGs), five rebounds, and three assists in the loss to the Pacers. The Cavs selected Thomas in the second round of this year's draft out of Arkansas. He recently signed a four-year deal worth nearly $10 million. This team has lost a few key bench contributors to free agency, so Thomas might have a chance to help this team right away.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Cavaliers Lock Up Donovan Mitchell on Maximum Extension
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell agreed to a four-year, $273 million maximum contract extension that includes a player option for the 2030-31 season and a full trade kicker, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The deal locks Mitchell into Cleveland after he averaged 27.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.7 assists last season. There is no role change here, but that is the fantasy takeaway. Mitchell remains the clear offensive engine for a Cleveland team built around his scoring and on-ball creation, keeping him firmly in the high-end guard mix as long as his workload holds.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Meleek Thomas Signs Four-Year, $9.3 Million Deal With Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Meleek Thomas signed a four-year, $9.3 million deal, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. The No. 34 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft gets the first three years fully guaranteed for $6.4 million, a strong commitment for an early second-rounder. Thomas averaged 15.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.5 steals at Arkansas while shooting 41.6 percent from three. His off-ball shooting gives him a clean developmental path, but Cleveland's veteran backcourt led by Donovan Mitchell and James Harden makes early fantasy value unlikely unless the rotation opens up.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
Keon Ellis Signs With Nets on Two-Year, $18 Million Deal
Free-agent guard Keon Ellis has agreed to a two-year, $18 million guaranteed deal with the Brooklyn Nets, according to Shams Charania of ESPN. The deal includes a full mutual option that guarantees the full amount but allows both sides to revisit the contract next summer. Ellis averaged 6.7 points, 1.9 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.6 blocks in 20.5 minutes last season while shooting 36.3% from three. Brooklyn is paying for defensive activity and spot-up shooting, not usage. He could earn a real rotation role, but his fantasy value needs more minutes and a bigger offensive workload.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Cavaliers Add Meleek Thomas in Second Round of NBA Draft
The Cleveland Cavaliers have taken Arkansas guard Meleek Thomas with the No. 34 pick during Wednesday's NBA Draft. There was speculation that Thomas would be taken in the late first-round, but ends up falling to the Cavs here. Thomas is viewed as one of the better shooters in this entire draft class. He knocked down 41.6 percent from three-point range while averaging 15.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists this past season at Arkansas. There isn't a clear path to playing time right away with the Cavs having depth at the guard spot. Thomas should be able to force his way into the equation if he continues to shoot the ball the way he did in college. It'll take time for Thomas to get a consistent role, so fantasy managers shouldn't count on him right away.
Source: Jake Fischer
Source: Jake Fischer
James Harden Arrested on Misdemeanor Weapons Charge
Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden was arrested early Saturday in Houston and charged with misdemeanor unlawful carrying of a weapon, ESPN's Brian Windhorst reports. According to Harris County court records, officers observed a handgun in plain view, not holstered, on the seat of a car he owns around 3:41 a.m. Harden was released on a $100 bond, with an arraignment set for June 22. The Cavaliers said they are gathering information and in contact with Harden. For fantasy purposes, the on-court fallout looks minimal for now: the charge is a misdemeanor, and while the NBA could weigh discipline under its conduct policy, nothing suggests his availability is in question. The bigger variable remains his offseason, as Harden, a high-usage scorer who averaged 20.5 points and 4.8 assists with Cleveland, holds a player option and is expected to weigh an extension.
Source: Brian Windhorst
Source: Brian Windhorst
Donovan Mitchell Remains Cleveland's Top Priority
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell is extension-eligible on July 7, and president of basketball operations Koby Altman made it clear the organization plans to keep building around him, according to cleveland.com's Chris Fedor. "He's our guy. Do we think we can win with him as the best player on a championship team? Yes," Altman said. The 29-year-old backed up that confidence with another high-end fantasy season, averaging 27.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 3.5 threes across 70 games. Cleveland's playoff run ended with a four-game Eastern Conference Finals sweep against New York, so the offseason focus now shifts to how Mitchell fits with James Harden and Evan Mobley. If the Cavaliers keep that core intact, Mitchell should remain the team's top scoring option and a strong early-round fantasy anchor.
Source: Chris Fedor
Source: Chris Fedor
James Harden Wants to Stay in Cleveland
Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden holds a $42.3 million player option on his contract for the 2026-27 season and wants to stay with the team, ESPN's Jamal Collier reports. "Definitely want to be here," Harden said after Monday's season-ending 130-93 loss to the New York Knicks. "I think we found something. It's tough. It's not ending how we wanted to, but I think we found something." Harden had a disappointing outing on Monday night, finishing with 12 points on a 2-for-8 effort from the field. But he showed strong play overall after arriving midseason from the Los Angeles Clippers, averaging 20.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 7.7 assists. The former MVP formed an excellent backcourt partnership with Donovan Mitchell. Cleveland went 16-6 with Harden and Mitchell in the lineup, and the team's 122.1 offensive efficiency with the two on the floor would have ranked first in the NBA over a full season.
Source: Jamal Collier
Source: Jamal Collier
Donovan Mitchell Remains Committed to Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell has no plans to move despite the team being swept in the Eastern Conference Finals by the New York Knicks. "I love it here. I don't know any other way to say it," Mitchell told reporters after Cleveland's season ended with a 130-93 blowout loss. The team struggled badly in Monday's elimination game despite Mitchell's 31 points. Mitchell reached the Conference Finals for the first time in his nine-year NBA career and clearly sees a bright future for the Cavaliers. He is eligible to sign a contract extension this offseason, ahead of his 30th birthday. While Mitchell isn't getting any younger, he still has plenty of fantasy value, having posted averages of 27.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 1.5 steals this season.
Source: Marc Stein
Source: Marc Stein
