RADIO
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
James Harden Returns to Cavaliers on Three-Year, $97 Million Deal
Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden has agreed to a three-year, $97 million fully guaranteed contract to stay in Cleveland, with a third-year player option and 15% trade kicker. The former MVP returns as the Cavaliers' primary ball-handler after averaging 20.5 points, 7.7 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.1 threes in 26 regular-season games with the team. The fantasy appeal remains tied to assists, scoring, and three-point volume, though turnovers are still part of the package after Harden gave it away 4.7 times per game in the playoffs. With his role settled, he remains a reliable early-round guard.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Tre Mann Traded to Wizards
The Washington Wizards are acquiring guard Tre Mann, a 2027 second-round pick from the Clippers, and cash from the Cleveland Cavaliers, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Washington is sending Cam Whitmore to Cleveland and Julian Reese to Denver as part of the expanded multi-team trade that also moves Peyton Watson to Cleveland and Max Strus to the LA Clippers. Mann gives Washington another backcourt option after the Wizards have been searching for guard depth. The 25-year-old averaged 5.5 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 12.6 minutes across 53 games last season, struggling to find steady footing in a limited role. A change of scenery could help, but Washington's backcourt is still crowded enough to cap his fantasy appeal. Mann is only worth tracking if injuries open a clearer path to minutes.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
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
Dennis Schroder Remains in Trade Talks
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Dennis Schroder remains part of trade discussions as the team looks to reconfigure the roster and create financial flexibility, according to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com. The 32-year-old was acquired from Sacramento at last season's deadline and is scheduled for roughly $30 million over the next two seasons, though part of his 2027-28 salary is not fully guaranteed yet. Schroder averaged 10.8 points, 4.9 assists, and 2.7 rebounds in 24.2 minutes across 70 games last season while shooting 40.5 percent from the field and 32.9 percent from three. If Cleveland moves him, Craig Porter Jr., Tyrese Proctor, and rookie Meleek Thomas could see clearer paths to backup guard minutes. Until a deal happens, none of them need to be chased for fantasy.
Source: Chris Fedor
Source: Chris Fedor
James Harden Expected to Re-Sign with Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden is on track to re-sign with the team on a new multi-year deal, according to ESPN's Jamal Collier. Harden remains unsigned after declining his $42.3 million player option, but Cleveland still appears to be the expected landing spot after missing out on LeBron James. The 36-year-old stayed productive after arriving from the Clippers, averaging 20.5 points, 7.7 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.1 threes while shooting 43.5 percent from deep across 26 games with Cleveland. Next to Donovan Mitchell, Harden should remain a strong assists-and-threes fantasy guard, though age and possible rest nights keep some risk attached.
Source: Jamal Collier
Source: Jamal Collier
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
James Harden Closing in on Cavaliers Extension
Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden is in active talks on a team-friendly multi-year extension, according to Evan Sidery. Harden, 36, declined his $42.3 million player option to give the Cavaliers flexibility to chase LeBron James, and with James now in Philadelphia, a longer deal is expected. He was excellent after arriving at last season's deadline, averaging 20.5 points, 7.7 assists, and 4.8 rebounds on 46.6 percent shooting, including 43.5 percent from deep, across 26 games. Locked in as Cleveland's lead playmaker next to Donovan Mitchell, Harden stays a reliable source of points, assists, and threes in redraft, though his age makes him a clear sell-high hold in dynasty.
Source: Evan Sidery
Source: Evan Sidery
Meleek Thomas Extends Hot Summer League Run
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Meleek Thomas stayed hot with 24 points on 10-for-20 shooting in Friday's 100-91 Summer League win over the Bulls, adding two assists, two rebounds, and one steal over 25 minutes. The Arkansas product has been the story of Cleveland's Vegas trip, leading the Summer League in scoring after a 35-point showing against Miami. He slid to No. 34 on draft night despite first-round buzz, and the summer has played like vindication. The catch for fantasy managers is the depth chart: Thomas sits behind James Harden and Donovan Mitchell, so the production reads as a long-term investment more than a source of rookie-year minutes.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
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
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
Dennis Schroder Enters Cavaliers Trade Talks Amid LeBron James Push
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Dennis Schroder has been part of ongoing trade conversations, according to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, as Cleveland looks to create flexibility for a possible LeBron James addition and Dean Wade return. Schroder averaged 10.8 points, 4.9 assists, 2.7 rebounds, and 0.8 steals in 24.2 minutes last season while shooting just 32.9% from three. His fantasy value in Cleveland was capped by James Harden and Donovan Mitchell controlling the offense, but a trade could help if he lands somewhere with backup point guard minutes and clearer second-unit usage. His shooting still keeps the ceiling modest.
Source: Jake Fischer
Source: Jake Fischer
James Harden Declines Player Option, Aims to Stay in Cleveland
Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden has declined his $42.3 million player option for the upcoming season, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The decline sets up Harden and the Cavs to agree to a new, longer contract. Cleveland went all-in on the 36-year-old last season, acquiring Harden in a mid-season deal that included Darius Garland. The 11-time All-Star averaged 20.5 points and 7.7 assists for Cleveland during the regular season, and helped the Cavaliers reach the Eastern Conference Finals, despite inconsistent play in the postseason. Cleveland appears poised to run it back for a first full season with the Harden-Donovan Mitchell backcourt.
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
