NBA 2025 Offseason Update: Cleveland Cavaliers
nba-2025-offseason-update-cleveland-cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers kept their core intact this summer while maneuvering around a soaring payroll, heading into the 2025-26 season with roughly $226.3 million in salaries—well above the $187.9 million luxury-tax line and deep into second-apron territory.
Key Signings
Sam Merrill returned on a four-year, $38 million deal secured with Bird rights. The 28-year-old guard, one of the league’s most accurate perimeter shooters, now commands about 5.5 percent of next season’s salary cap in year one.
Larry Nance Jr. rejoined the franchise on a one-year veteran minimum contract, giving Cleveland additional front-court coverage behind Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley.
Trade Activity
Cleveland acquired Lonzo Ball from Chicago for forward Isaac Okoro. Ball earns $10 million for 2025-26 with a team option for 2026-27, while Okoro is guaranteed through 2026-27 at $11 million next year. The move eases future cap pressure and supplies another playmaker after the club elected not to re-sign Sixth Man of the Year finalist Ty Jerome.
Draft Picks
- No. 49: Tyrese Proctor — signed a four-year, $8,685,386 contract (first two seasons guaranteed; $500K partial guarantee in year three; team option in year four).
- No. 58: Saliou Niang — will remain overseas.
Two-Way Deal
Luke Travers accepted a one-year two-way contract with an $85,300 partial guarantee that climbs to $318,218 once the regular season begins.
Departures
Jerome joined the Grizzlies on a three-year, $27.7 million agreement. Other free agents moving on include Javonte Green (Pistons) and Chuma Okeke (Real Madrid), while Emoni Bates and Tristan Thompson remain unsigned.
Cap Snapshot
The Cavaliers are operating without a hard cap, hold one frozen traded-player exception worth $8.5 million and one active exception of $1 million, and currently have 13 players on standard contracts.
What’s Next
With Darius Garland (toe) and Max Strus (foot) expected to miss the start of the season, Cleveland must add at least one more standard-contract player to reach the 14-man minimum. Limited to veteran-minimum offers, the team could target guards such as Malcolm Brogdon or Cameron Payne, wings like Garrison Mathews, Landry Shamet, or Gary Payton II, or additional size in Precious Achiuwa or Thomas Bryant.
The Cavaliers also have one open two-way slot and may wait to see how they address the main roster before filling that final developmental position.
Extension talks are possible for Garland, Strus, De’Andre Hunter, and Dean Wade, but significant tax commitments make early agreements unlikely before opening night.
Source: Hoops Rumors
