The Cleveland Cavaliers did a great job with the financially savvy moves they made this season.
Acquiring De’Andre Hunter without having to give up prime assets in a trade and shedding some money was a master move.
However, Dan Favale of Bleacher Report is worried that Cavs owner Dan Gilbert might not feel the same way about spending big this offseason.
Favale revealed how Evan Mobley’s upcoming raise could spell trouble for the organization.
“Dan Gilbert gets pocket shy,” Favale wrote about the Cavs’ “biggest fear” during this offseason. “Evan Mobley’s Defensive Player of the Year award nudges the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 2025-26 payroll more than $13 million into the second apron. That inherently increases the drama surrounding what was already shaping up to be an interesting offseason. But what if team governor Dan Gilbert and/or the Cavs’ Koby Altman-led front office wants out of the second apron altogether? Who else ends up going? Collateral damage is unavoidable. The extremes it will reach and how that winds up impacting Cleveland’s depth and rotation are (uncomfortable) unknowns.”
The Cavs can avoid this by moving on from one or two of their star players.
Altman has been reluctant to break up this core, and he clearly has a vision for the roster.
Then again, he also admitted that the Cavs need to add more mental toughness to the mix, which is something that has been lacking from some of their star players.
There are legitimate reasons to have doubts about Jarrett Allen and Darius Garland, and flipping one for another star and the other for more depth might make sense.
This offseason will be crucial for the Cavs’ future.
They can either double down on this core again and make some marginal moves to improve slightly, or they can swing for the fences and try to make the most of their title window while it seems to be open.
NEXT: Analyst Urges Cavs To Bring In Former Knicks Coach To Staff
