Cavs 2026-27 NBA season predictions after schedule release

Somehow, throughout the Donovan Mitchell era in Cleveland, the Cavs have not solidified their small forward spot. It has been a revolving door since 2022, with the likes of Isaac Okoro, Max Strus, De’Andre Hunter, and Jaylon Tyson all taking turns to fill in that role.

Strus, of course, is the Cavs’ best option at that position heading into the 2026-27 campaign. He provides floor-spacing, and he shows up amid adversity — providing the exact kind of mental fortitude Cleveland needs. He is also an important presence in the locker room.

However, as past champions have shown, having a more consistent and resolute presence on the wing is a prerequisite to competing for a title. A backcourt of Mitchell and Harden isn’t the most defensively sound as well, as they will, without a doubt, be hunted on switches come postseason time.

Enter Mario Hezonja.

Hezonja last played in the NBA during the 2019-20 season, so that makes it full six seasons that he has been away from the association. This makes him a huge question mark, as it’s not a guarantee that he’ll be producing at a similar level as he has overseas.

Moreover, it’s not like Hezonja suddenly has become a star in Europe. He is a solid starting-caliber player who averaged nearly 15 points per game across 66 combined outings last season in the EuroLeague and in Liga ACB. Since the 2020-21 season, he’s shot 36.8 percent from three on solid volume.

Hezonja, however, knows that this might be his final shot to stick around in the NBA. The Cavs need a small forward who can defend well and make threes consistently. He stands at 6’6″ with a wingspan of 6’10”. He has the kind of size and skillset Cleveland needs to complement their best players.

He won’t be the starter at the three coming out of training camp. But he should do enough to impress head coach Kenny Atkinson to the point of being entrusted the starting gig come midseason.

Evan Mobley finally averages 20 and 10 for the Cavs

Evan Mobley’s development seems to have stalled; many believe that this is as good as he’s going to get. But he’s only 25 years of age, and the Cavs’ future still rests on his shoulders.

Over the past few seasons, Mobley has averaged somewhere between 15 and 18 points per game to go along with eight to nine rebounds per contest. And as long as Mitchell is around, Mobley is always going to be more of a secondary scoring option — especially with a point guard like Harden or Darius Garland also needing plenty of touches.

However, the Cavs’ inability to get over the hump in the playoffs means that they should try things a little more differently. Perhaps featuring Mobley more on the offensive end would do Cleveland a world of good, giving them more stylistic versatility. Mobley is also a willing passer as well, nearly recording four per contest last season, so it’s not like the offense is going to stall with him being more involved.

For the sake of the team’s future, Mobley has to become a bigger part of every possession for Cleveland. And with that, he’ll be responding with a career-best 20 and 10 season.

Cavs stand pat at the trade deadline

Over the past two trade deadlines, the Cavs have been very active. In 2025, they brought in Hunter to give the team more depth on the wing. And then in 2026, they dumped Lonzo Ball’s salary, traded Hunter to acquire Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis, and then pulled off a blockbuster swap involving Harden and Darius Garland.

But at this point, it’s not quite clear what the Cavs can do on the trade market to upgrade the team. If Hezonja ends up being the answer at small forward, keeping the team together might be the best course of action.

It’s not like Cleveland needs to duck the second apron; they can re-sign Harden in free agency and not cross into the that threshold after shedding salary in the trade that sent Schroder to the Charlotte Hornets for Tre Mann.

For the first time in three years, the Cavs will be standing pat at the trade deadline in hopes that what they have, along with added continuity, is enough for them to achieve their breakthrough in the playoffs.

Cleveland wins the Central Division

The Detroit Pistons won the Central Division by eight games last year, but they are widely expected to take a step back amid the loss of Tobias Harris and the prolonged free agency of Jalen Duren. The Indiana Pacers will be back now that Tyrese Haliburton is healthy, but they are going to be managing his workload, especially early. A slow start may be in the cards for Indiana.

Meanwhile, the Cavs played at a 60-win pace with Harden on the team during the regular season (they went 19-7), and that should be enough for them to win the division.