The Cleveland Cavaliers’ pursuit of LeBron James is formally over, however the franchise seems able to shift its consideration towards different vital roster upgrades.
In line with Sam Amico of Hoops Wire, Cleveland is exploring “higher-profile prospects” after James selected to signal with the Philadelphia 76ers in free company. Amico reported on July 24 that whereas Jonathan Kuminga and Mario Hezonja have been linked to the Cavaliers, “they aren’t essentially the largest names to look at,” with sources indicating the group has further targets that haven’t but surfaced publicly.
James’ choice to hitch Philadelphia on a two-year veteran minimal contract ended any hypothesis a couple of third stint in Cleveland. The transfer permits the Cavaliers’ entrance workplace to focus absolutely on bettering a roster that reached the 2026 Jap Convention Finals earlier than being swept 4-0 by the eventual NBA champion New York Knicks.
Cleveland already entered the offseason with its basis secured. Donovan Mitchell signed a four-year, $273 million most extension on July 7, retaining the seven-time All-Star underneath contract by the 2030-31 season with a participant possibility. Defensive Participant of the Yr Evan Mobley additionally stays underneath contract by the 2029-30 season after starting his five-year rookie extension.
The Cavaliers completed the 2025-26 common season 52-30, good for fourth place within the Jap Convention. They eradicated the Toronto Raptors in seven video games in the course of the first spherical and upset the top-seeded Detroit Pistons in one other seven-game collection earlier than falling to New York within the convention finals.
Including one other affect wing has lengthy been seen as one among Cleveland’s remaining roster priorities, making Kuminga an comprehensible identify in hypothesis. The 23-year-old ahead averaged 12.2 factors, 5.6 rebounds and a couple of.3 assists throughout 36 video games in the course of the 2025-26 season after splitting time between the Golden State Warriors and Atlanta Hawks. Over 5 NBA seasons, Kuminga has averaged 12.5 factors whereas capturing 50.2% from the sector, providing athleticism and positional versatility at both ahead spot.
Hezonja has additionally emerged as a reported chance after rebuilding his profession in Europe. The previous fifth general NBA draft choose spent the previous 4 seasons with Actual Madrid, averaging 13.2 factors, 3.9 rebounds and a couple of.2 assists in 38 EuroLeague video games in the course of the 2025-26 marketing campaign. He additionally posted 17.5 factors per sport in Spain’s Liga ACB whereas capturing 46.5% from the sector and 36.6% from three-point vary.
Whether or not both participant in the end lands in Cleveland stays unsure. Amico’s report suggests neither ought to be seen because the Cavaliers’ major goal now that the uncertainty surrounding James’ free company has ended.
