Cavs Staying The Course, Not Cutting Costs, Despite Soaring Payroll

While most teams would look to cut back after a second-round playoff exit and a projected spot above the NBA’s second tax apron, the Cavaliers are doing just the opposite.

According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, Cleveland is entering the 2025–26 season with a payroll of roughly $375 million, including taxes. That puts the franchise about $20 million over the second apron and set to pay the luxury tax for the first time since 2018.

Even so, president of basketball operations Koby Altman isn’t blinking.

“We’re not going to go anywhere,” Altman said after the season. “We’re going to keep fighting for that championship. The window is wide open, we believe. I love our foundation, I love our core.”

That core — Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen — is signed through at least 2027–28. Mitchell holds a player option for that final season.

Instead of trimming costs, Cleveland handed Sam Merrill a reported four-year, $38 million deal.

And while the team is facing another projected second apron hit in 2026–27, the front office isn’t boxed in. Marks notes the Cavs currently have 11 of 13 players under contract for next season and will also add a first-round pick in 2026.

That could help keep the current group intact. At least for now. But if Cleveland doesn’t advance deep into the postseason next spring, questions about the long-term sustainability of the roster could return in a hurry.

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