Cavaliers overhaul roster at 2026 trade deadline, land Harden in multi-player shake-up
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The Cleveland Cavaliers completed a series of moves in the final days of the 2026 NBA trade deadline, reshaping both their depth chart and salary structure, according to the team.
President of basketball operations Koby Altman spearheaded a four-team effort that brought James Harden to Cleveland, the most prominent piece in a deal that also delivered Dennis Schröder, Keon Ellis and two-way forward Emanuel Miller.
To secure those additions, the Cavaliers sent guards Darius Garland and Lonzo Ball, forward De’Andre Hunter and three future second-round picks to various destinations involved in the trade framework.
With the dust settled, Cleveland retained all of its future first-round selections and assembled a rotation built to compete immediately around Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.
Projected starters/core
• Donovan Mitchell
• James Harden
• Evan Mobley
• Jarrett Allen
• Jaylon Tyson
Primary rotation
• Dennis Schröder
• Keon Ellis
• Max Strus (injured)
• Sam Merrill
• Dean Wade
• Larry Nance Jr.
• Thomas Bryant
Depth and development
• Craig Porter Jr.
• Tyrese Proctor
• NaeQwan Tomlin
Two-way contracts
• Emanuel Miller
• Tristan Enaruna
The Cavaliers now move forward with a veteran-heavy roster aimed at an immediate postseason push while preserving future draft flexibility.
Source: Hoops Wire
