{"id":202570,"date":"2026-06-27T13:43:35","date_gmt":"2026-06-27T17:43:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=202570"},"modified":"2026-06-27T13:49:32","modified_gmt":"2026-06-27T17:49:32","slug":"cavaliers-tough-choices","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2026\/06\/27\/cavaliers-tough-choices\/","title":{"rendered":"Cavaliers Have Tough Upcoming Decisions, May Lose 2 Key Veterans This Offseason"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Cleveland Cavaliers<\/a> face tough decisions as free agency begins in a few days. As a result, the Cavaliers may have to choose between three key veterans.<\/p>\n

Cavaliers Have Tough Upcoming Decisions, May Lose 2 Key Veterans This Offseason<\/h2>\n

After posting the Eastern Conference’s best record in 2024-25 with 64 wins, Cleveland finished with a disappointing 52-30 record this past season. Still, the Cavs reached the Conference Finals for the first time since 2017-18.<\/p>\n

However, with free agency officially starting on July 1, the Cavaliers face tough decisions amid a huge financial crunch. The Cavs have committed $222.2 million to 11 players for the upcoming season, putting them over the second apron.\u00a0 James Harden<\/a> has a $42.3 million team option, with a $13.2 million guarantee, that he is expected to decline, per NBA Insider Jake Fischer<\/a>. Fischer said that Harden is amenable to cutting his annual salary<\/a> for a multi-year deal, adding that the Cavs \u201cshould soon have a verbal agreement on a new multi-year deal\u201d shortly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Let’s assume that Harden and Cleveland agree to a two-year, $60 million deal. That would save the Cavs $12.3 million, leaving them slightly over the first apron.\u00a0 Even with Harden seemingly in the fold, the Cavaliers still have much to figure out with Dean Wade<\/a> and Keon Ellis<\/a> being unrestricted free agents.<\/p>\n

What Can The Cavs Do?<\/h3>\n

It has been suggested that LeBron James<\/a> could return to the Cavaliers for a swang song.<\/a>\u00a0 One suggestion that has been floated is a sign-and-trade involving James coming to Cleveland for Jarrett Allen<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Allen is slated to make $28 million this coming season. While it is unlikely James would agree to a one-year, $20-to-$25 million deal, that would be the only way a deal would make sense for the Cavaliers. As it would allow them to at least get under the first apron.\u00a0 But a trade for James would hardcap the Cavs at the first apron, so they would have to cut major salary, and there have not been any indications that LeBron wants to reunite with his hometown team for a third go-around.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere was a check-in call made, to my understanding, early in free agency, once teams were able to start negotiating with their own free agents after the NBA Finals,\u201d ESPN’s Shams Charania said during Thursday\u2019s episode of NBA Today<\/a>. \u201cSince then, though, there hasn\u2019t been much communication, from my understanding, between the Lakers and LeBron James\u2019 side. And certainly not an offer yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

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