Cleveland, OH — The Cavaliers see no risk of their agreement with forward Mario Hezonja unraveling, despite reports from Spain suggesting Real Madrid is uneasy about the player triggering an NBA exit clause and later joining a EuroLeague rival.
Cleveland officials expect the former No. 5 overall pick to secure a place in the nightly rotation on opening night, viewing him as a key replacement for departed forward Dean Wade, according to Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor.
Once Hezonja signs and James Harden finalizes a new contract, the Cavaliers will have 14 standard deals. The front office, however, continues to monitor free-agent wings DeMar DeRozan, Jonathan Kuminga, and Peyton Watson.
Salary hurdles for Watson and Kuminga
League sources tell Fedor that Watson is seeking a first-year salary between $20 million and $25 million. Acquiring him would require a sign-and-trade, hard-capping Cleveland at the first tax apron, while Denver is believed to want a first-round pick plus a rotation player in return.
Kuminga could fit via the taxpayer mid-level exception, but he is reportedly aiming for $15 million to $20 million annually, also pushing any deal toward a sign-and-trade. The Hawks lack tax-apron room to absorb contracts such as Max Strus or Dennis Schröder, and the Cavaliers are reluctant to attach assets to move either player.
Sixers plan to use LeBron as primary facilitator
On ESPN’s NBA Today, insider Shams Charania said the 76ers expect LeBron James to initiate much of the offense next season, even while slotted at power forward. Guard Tyrese Maxey, who averaged a career-best 6.6 assists in 2025-26, will still handle the ball but is projected to spend increased time off the ball in 2026-27.
Raptors heading to Quebec City for camp
The Raptors will open training camp this fall in Quebec City and launch preseason play against Miami at the city’s Videotron Centre on Oct. 3. Additional preseason stops include Vancouver on Oct. 10 (vs. the Clippers), Toronto on Oct. 13 (vs. the Knicks), New York on Oct. 15, and Detroit on Oct. 16.
Nets’ rebuild tests fan patience
With the Atlantic Division growing stronger, The New York Daily News writer C.J. Holmes questions how much longer the Nets can rely on a long-term rebuilding narrative and whether general manager Sean Marks’ strategy will ultimately succeed.
Source: HoopsRumors
