The Cleveland Cavaliers’ starting five looks set heading into the 2026-27 season, and nobody’s job appears to be in danger. That’s the conclusion ClutchPoints reached after breaking down the roster: Donovan Mitchell and James Harden in the backcourt, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen up front, and Peyton Watson at the three.
How Cleveland Got Here
The Cavs finally got over the hump and reached the Conference Finals last season, only to get swept by the New York Knicks, who went on to win the title. Cleveland’s answer was big. It traded Darius Garland for Harden, then landed Watson in a sign-and-trade on a four-year, $88 million deal, giving up a 2031 first-round pick. Watson shot 41.1 percent from three last season and gives Kenny Atkinson the two-way wing the team had been missing after trying Isaac Okoro, Max Strus and De’Andre Hunter at that spot.
The bench has juice too. Jaylon Tyson averaged 13.2 points while hitting 44.6 percent from deep, Sam Merrill is still a floor-spacer, and Mario Hezonja comes over after strong years in Europe.
The IAHHM Take
Swapping Garland for Harden is a win-now move, plain and simple. Harden is a future Hall of Famer, but pairing two ball-dominant guards is a puzzle Atkinson has to solve fast. The real swing piece is Watson. If he’s the wing who can guard the Knicks’ best scorer and knock down open threes, Cleveland has the best starting five in the East on paper.
The preseason is wrapping up around the league, with the Lakers closing theirs out this weekend. So here’s the question: is Harden-Mitchell enough to get past New York, or did Cleveland just make the same team older?
Source: ClutchPoints
