With the Cleveland Cavaliers predicted to win the Eastern Conference by many within the basketball world, the team will still look to round out the roster, despite the organization being the No. 1 seed last season. As rumors will continue to surround the Cavs, the latest reporting signals another move on the horizon.
In the most recent column by Jake Fischer for “The Stein Line,” he would say that Cleveland is in the process of searching “for one more signing that can be made on a non-guarantee basis.” The reason, according to Fischer, is not to pile up “any more to their hefty luxury-tax bill” to prevent any more limitations.
“The Cavaliers, meanwhile, continue to search for one more signing that can be made on a non-guaranteed basis, as we discussed last week, so as not to add any more to their hefty luxury-tax bill,” Fischer wrote.
As it remains to be seen who the signing could be, a player that Fischer mentions earlier in the column is Malik Beasley, and how the team has “been in contact.” However, one would think Beasley would not get a non-guaranteed contract.
“League sources say that four primary teams have been in contact with the sharpshooter’s representation in hopes that he can eventually be signed,” Fischer wrote. “They are Cleveland, New York, Minnesota, and the incumbent Pistons.”
“It’s believed that none of the conversations, to this point, have advanced to the deal-making stage, with the league office itself also expected to conduct its own investigation of Beasley,” Fischer continued.
The changes the Cavs will make in the lineup to start the season
David Richard-Imagn Images
While the Cavs look to bounce back after losing in the series to the Pacers in the second round of the playoffs, the team is looking to make lateral moves that can work around their man core in Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and more. Beasley could be an option, as he averaged 16.3 points per game while shooting 41,6 percent from deep with the Detroit Pistons, but the contract details are crucial to figure out.
“Sources say Beasley will ultimately be seeking a deal north of the veteran minimum and would figure to command that,” Fischer wrote.
As there are injuries to Max Strus and Garland to begin the upcoming season, head coach Kenny Atkinson will have to figure out certain rotations. ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel would say that Cleveland will likely start Dean Wade and Sam Merrill to start.
“Without Max Strus and Darius Garland to begin the 2025-26 season, the Cavs will turn to Dean Wade, De’Andre Hunter, and Sam Merrill as key contributors alongside Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen,” Seigel wrote. “Wade will likely start alongside Merrill in the place of Strus and Garland. Head coach Kenny Atkinson is very high on Merrill’s abilities to step into a larger role this year, sources said.”
At any rate, Cleveland starts the upcoming season on Oct. 22, against the New York Knicks.
