Honestly, if you've spent more than five minutes on NBA Twitter (or X, whatever) lately, you've seen the trade machines. People love moving Darius Garland to the Spurs or Jarrett Allen to basically any team that needs a rim protector. But here we are in January 2026, and the Cleveland Cavs current roster still looks remarkably like the one that’s been grinding through the Eastern Conference for the last few years.
They’re a weird team. They really are.
One night, they’re dropping 146 points on the Timberwolves—which they actually did just a few days ago—and the next, they’re losing a head-scratcher to the Pistons. It’s the duality of a roster that has some of the highest ceilings in the league but keeps bumping its head on a very specific glass ceiling. Kenny Atkinson has them playing fast. Like, 120 points per game fast. But the questions about "fit" just won't go away.
The Core Four: Survival of the Fittest?
Let's look at the heavy hitters first. You have Donovan Mitchell playing like an absolute MVP candidate, averaging nearly 30 points a game. He's the sun that everything in Cleveland orbits around. Then there’s Evan Mobley. He's 24 now, and while some fans are still waiting for that "breakout" offensive season where he averages 25, his defensive impact is still terrifying. He’s swatting nearly two shots a night and anchoring everything.
The "problem"—and I use that term loosely—is the Garland and Allen situation.
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- Darius Garland: He's the "electricity," as Atkinson calls him. When he's on, the lob game with the bigs is beautiful. But with Mitchell taking so much of the oxygen, Garland sometimes looks like a luxury the team can't fully utilize.
- Jarrett Allen: Still one of the most efficient finishers in the game (shooting almost 60% from the floor). However, the "two-big" lineup is always under the microscope when the Cavs struggle to space the floor.
Despite the noise, the front office is reportedly holding firm. They've seen this group win 64 games in a season before. They aren't ready to pull the plug mid-season, especially with the team sitting comfortably in the playoff hunt.
The New Faces and the Bench Mob
It’s not just the big names, though. The 2025-26 version of this team has some sneaky depth that didn't exist two years ago. De’Andre Hunter has been a massive addition. He’s providing that 3-and-D wing presence they’ve lacked since, well, forever. He's chipping in 14 points a game and actually guarding people.
Then you have the Lonzo Ball experiment.
Yeah, Lonzo Ball is a Cleveland Cavalier. It’s wild to see him back on the court after those knee issues, and while he isn't the 35-minute-a-night guy he used to be, his passing remains elite. He’s giving them about 22 minutes of high-IQ basketball off the bench.
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The Rotation as it Stands
- Backcourt: Mitchell and Garland start, obviously. But Sam Merrill is the flamethrower. If you leave him open for a split second, the ball is through the net. He's averaging over 14 points off the bench, which is kind of insane for a specialist.
- Frontcourt: Mobley and Allen start, with Dean Wade being the ultimate "glue guy" when his knees allow him to play. Wade is currently dealing with some soreness, which has opened the door for Jaylon Tyson.
- The Rookies/Young Blood: Tyrese Proctor, the rookie out of Duke, is getting some spot minutes. He's raw, but you can see the vision. Craig Porter Jr. also remains a steady hand when the stars need a breather.
What People Get Wrong About This Roster
The biggest misconception is that the Cavs are "stuck."
People look at the salary cap—which is, frankly, a mess because they're way over the apron—and assume they can't improve. But the Cleveland Cavs current roster is actually built for a very specific type of playoff basketball. They want to beat you with size and individual brilliance.
Is the spacing perfect? No. Does the Mitchell-Garland pairing have defensive flaws? Sure. But name another team with two All-Star guards and two All-Defensive caliber bigs. It’s a short list.
The real secret weapon this year has been Nae'Qwan Tomlin. He's on a two-way contract but playing like he belongs in the regular rotation. He's 6'8", mobile, and adds a vertical spacing element that's different from what Allen or Mobley provides.
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The Financial Reality
Koby Altman has his work cut out for him. The team is currently paying a massive bill for this talent. Mitchell and Mobley are both on contracts worth over $46 million this season. Garland is right behind them at $39 million.
This is why the trade rumors persist. If the Cavs don't make a deep run this spring, the math says someone has to go. You can't keep a roster this expensive together if the result is a first-round exit.
Actionable Insights for Cavs Fans
If you're following this team through the rest of the 2026 season, keep your eyes on these three things:
- The Trade Deadline (Feb 2026): Watch the "dead money" and cap holds. If they move a guy like Caris LeVert (who was a staple for so long) or look to flip a wing for more shooting, it’ll tell you if they’re doubling down or pivoting.
- Mobley’s Three-Point Percentage: He’s hovering around 33%. If that jumps to 36% by April, the "fit" issues with Jarrett Allen magically disappear because the floor opens up.
- The Health of Lonzo Ball: His ability to lead the second unit is the difference between Mitchell playing 38 minutes or 32 minutes. For a long playoff run, that's everything.
Check the injury reports for Dean Wade specifically over the next week. His absence forces more minutes onto the starters, and in a condensed January schedule, that’s how small injuries turn into season-altering ones. Keep an eye on the transition defense too; for a team this big, they shouldn't be giving up as many fast-break points as they have lately.