RADIO
Jarrett Allen Expects to Suit Up Against 76ers
Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (knee) said he expects to play in Thursday's season opener against the Philadelphia 76ers, according to Chris Fedor. Allen remains questionable with right patellar tendinopathy, the same knee that cost him 10 games last March. The 28-year-old averaged 15.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.0 steal on 63.8 percent shooting across 56 games last season. His optimism puts him on track for his usual starting role, though fantasy managers should still confirm his status before tip-off. If Allen is ruled out, Evan Mobley would likely shift to center, with Jaylon Tyson a candidate to enter the starting five.
Source: Chris Fedor
Source: Chris Fedor
Jarrett Allen Questionable for Season Opener Against 76ers
Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (knee) is questionable for Thursday's season opener against the Philadelphia 76ers with right patellar tendinopathy. The 28-year-old dealt with severe tendinitis in the same knee last March, missing 10 games before acknowledging the discomfort was still lingering entering the playoffs. Allen averaged 12.7 points and 7.2 rebounds across 18 postseason games. If he sits, Evan Mobley would likely spend more time at center, while Jaylon Tyson could see a larger role after making 42 starts and shooting 44.6 percent from three last season. Khalifa Diop's (knee) absence could also open up a few extra reserve minutes for Thomas Bryant.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Nae'Qwan Tomlin Slated to Miss Several Weeks
According to Chris Fedor of The Cleveland Plain Dealer, Cleveland Cavaliers forward Nae'Qwan Tomlin (back) will miss several weeks due to a lower back stress reaction. The 25-year-old averaged 5.8 points and 2.9 rebounds in 15.7 minutes per game last season while shooting 47.8 percent from the field. Tomlin is scheduled to be re-evaluated in three to four weeks, but there's no guarantee he'll be cleared to return at that point. Given his limited production and uncertain recovery timeline, Tomlin is unlikely to be on the fantasy radar outside of deeper leagues.
Source: Chris Fedor
Source: Chris Fedor
James Harden Scores 24 Points in Preseason Debut
Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden scored a game-high 24 points in Sunday's 119-105 preseason win over the Orlando Magic, adding four rebounds, two assists, and one steal in 26 minutes. The 37-year-old shot 7-for-10 from the field, 3-for-5 from three, and 7-for-9 at the line after missing Thursday's opener with right ankle soreness. Harden made his first five shots and showed little rust in his return. He averaged 20.5 points and 7.7 assists in 26 games with Cleveland last season, and Sunday's performance was an encouraging reminder that he can still provide plenty of scoring alongside Donovan Mitchell.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Donovan Mitchell 100 Percent Committed to Cavs
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell is "100 percent committed" to the organization, fellow Cavs guard Sam Merrill stated, per Daniel Chavkin of The Sporting News. Mitchell agreed to a four-year, $273 million maximum contract extension in the offseason. He averaged 27.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.7 assists last campaign, leading the Cavs to the Eastern Conference Finals. The 30-year-old will remain Cleveland's go-to offensive weapon, making him a strong fantasy option this upcoming season.
Source: Daniel Chavkin
Source: Daniel Chavkin
Cavaliers Promote Jose Calderon to Assistant General Manager
The Cleveland Cavaliers have promoted Jose Calderon to assistant general manager, the team announced Friday. Calderon rejoined the organization as a special adviser in 2022 and moves up alongside Brandon Weems, who was promoted to general manager. The former NBA guard also helped develop The Embassy in Andalusia, where Cleveland will hold training camp from Sept. 30 through Oct. 5. While the front-office move carries no direct fantasy impact, camp should offer a clearer look at Peyton Watson's fit. Watson averaged 14.6 points and 4.9 rebounds with Denver last season and is set to join Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen in Cleveland's starting lineup.
Source: Cleveland Cavaliers
Source: Cleveland Cavaliers
Cavaliers Promote Brandon Weems to General Manager
The Cleveland Cavaliers are promoting Brandon Weems to general manager under president of basketball operations Koby Altman, ESPN's Shams Charania reports. Weems replaces Mike Gansey, who left in May to become Philadelphia's president of basketball operations, after serving as Cleveland's assistant GM since 2022. The promotion maintains continuity after an offseason that reshaped much of the Cavaliers' supporting cast. Peyton Watson (hamstring) is one of the most notable additions and projects as the fifth starter alongside Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen. Watson averaged 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.1 blocks, and 0.9 steals with Denver last season, giving him fantasy appeal if his defensive production carries over into a steady role.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Sean McNeil Signs Camp Deal with Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers signed guard Sean McNeil (calf) to a training camp contract Tuesday, according to Paul Garcia of The Spot Up Shot, keeping him in the organization after two seasons with the Cleveland Charge. The 28-year-old averaged 10.1 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in 24.0 minutes across 30 regular-season games last year, up from 4.2 points in 2024-25. He also knocked down 2.1 threes per game at a 42.3 percent clip. McNeil ended last season inactive with a calf injury, and Cleveland owns his G-League rights, making another stint with the Charge a realistic outcome. He remains off the fantasy radar unless he earns a meaningful NBA role.
Source: Paul Garcia
Source: Paul Garcia
Peyton Watson Poised for Ample Minutes in Cleveland
Cleveland Cavaliers forward Peyton Watson (hamstring) is in line for ample rotation minutes in 2026-27, according to NBA.com's Shaun Powell. Cleveland landed Watson from Denver in a five-team sign-and-trade in August, with ESPN's Shams Charania reporting a four-year, $88 million deal. Watson broke out with the Nuggets last season, averaging 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.9 steals, 1.1 blocks, and 1.5 threes in 29.6 minutes while shooting 41.1 percent from deep. He played only 54 games and missed the playoffs with a hamstring injury, so durability is still part of the draft-day equation. Max Strus and Dean Wade are gone from Cleveland's wing mix, giving Watson a clear path to meaningful minutes next to James Harden, though Jaylon Tyson and Sam Merrill remain in the perimeter picture. Watson has a useful fantasy profile if last year's shooting holds, but the scoring may be harder to repeat in a deeper Cavaliers offense.
Source: Shaun Powell
Source: Shaun Powell
Khalifa Diop Signs Four-Year Deal with Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers signed center Khalifa Diop to a standard contract Wednesday, ending the draft-and-stash wait that began when Cleveland selected him 39th overall in 2022. The deal is worth $9.26 million over four years, with only the $1.36 million first-year salary fully guaranteed, according to HoopsHype's Michael Scotto. Diop averaged 3.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks in 47 games for Baskonia last season while shooting 67.0 percent from the field. He also was part of Baskonia's 2026 Copa del Rey-winning roster. Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen still control Cleveland's frontcourt, while Thomas Bryant gives the Cavaliers a veteran reserve center. Diop is off fantasy radars unless injuries open a deeper bench role.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
Mario Hezonja Piles Up 28 Points in Croatia's Qualifier
Cleveland Cavaliers forward Mario Hezonja posted 28 points, three rebounds, and seven assists in Croatia's 115-80 win over Latvia on Thursday in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers. The 31-year-old finished 8-for-13 from the field, converting all eight of his two-point attempts while missing all five tries from deep, with his other 12 points coming at the free-throw line. Karlo Matkovic added 17 points on 8-for-8 shooting, while Ivica Zubac grabbed eight rebounds. Hezonja is back in the NBA on a one-year, $2.8 million deal that reportedly becomes fully guaranteed if he remains on Cleveland's roster past Nov. 15. Peyton Watson's arrival tightened the wing picture, and Hezonja still has to beat out Jaylon Tyson and Nae'Qwan Tomlin for leftover minutes. He remains off fantasy radars unless camp points to a real rotation role.
Source: Keith Smith
Source: Keith Smith
Cavaliers Waive Cam Whitmore
The Cleveland Cavaliers have waived forward Cam Whitmore, HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reports. Cleveland acquired the 22-year-old from Washington last week as part of the five-team deal that brought in Peyton Watson, but Whitmore never had a clear path to a roster spot. The Cavs were expected to use the stretch provision on his roughly $5.5 million expiring salary, helping preserve space below the first apron before James Harden's new contract becomes official. Whitmore's 2025-26 season with Washington ended after 21 games because of deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder, and he averaged 9.2 points and 2.8 rebounds in 16.9 minutes. His career marks sit at 10.5 points and 3.3 rebounds in 17.3 minutes over 119 games. He should draw interest once he clears waivers, but his health and next role remain too uncertain for fantasy purposes.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
Bruce Brown Linked to Cavaliers in Free Agency
Free-agent guard/forward Bruce Brown has been linked to the Cleveland Cavaliers, according to Zach Weiss of SI, who cited Cleveland.com's Terry Pluto. Brown spent last season back with the Denver Nuggets, averaging 7.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.0 steals in 24.4 minutes across 82 games while shooting 47.5 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from three. Cleveland could have a roster spot to fill if it waives or trades Cam Whitmore, and Brown would bring low-usage wing depth with past ties to James Harden and Jarrett Allen from Brooklyn. The fantasy appeal would be limited, though, with Brown likely ticketed for a bench role behind Cleveland's established rotation unless injuries open steady minutes.
Source: Zach Weiss
Source: Zach Weiss
Cavaliers Acquire Ismael Kamagate's Draft Rights
The Cleveland Cavaliers have acquired the draft rights to center Ismael Kamagate from the LA Clippers, closing a minor piece of the expanded multi-team deal that also sends Peyton Watson and Cam Whitmore to Cleveland, Max Strus to the Clippers, Tre Mann to Washington, and Julian Reese to Denver. Kamagate, the No. 46 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, has never played an NBA game and recently signed with OpenJobMetis Varese after spending last season with Besiktas. This is strictly a trade-facilitation move, leaving no fantasy angle to chase. Watson is the Cleveland piece with the clearest fantasy relevance.
Source: Eurohoops
Source: Eurohoops
Max Strus Earns Praise From Lawrence Frank
Los Angeles Clippers guard/forward Max Strus received a strong endorsement from president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank, who called him "a big part" of the team's plans after the trade from Cleveland. Frank praised Strus as a shooter with feel who can handle, pass, and fit into different lineup groups. The veteran wing gives Los Angeles another floor spacer after shooting 37.0 percent from three across his NBA career. His 2025-26 regular season was derailed by a left foot Jones fracture, but he returned in the playoffs and averaged 9.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 2.1 threes across 18 games. Strus should get clean catch-and-shoot chances next to Darius Garland, though his fantasy value still depends on minutes and shot volume in a crowded Clippers rotation.
Source: Joey Linn
Source: Joey Linn
