Based on the way the Cleveland Cavaliers ended their season, the discourse surrounding them is that this team isn’t good enough. But, I couldn’t disagree more. Last season, the Cavs were simply one of the best offensive teams of all time, posting a 121.7 offensive rating. They have an abundance of offensive talent and have also made strides to improve the team’s defense.
Anyone who is already counting out the Cavs because of last season is underrating this team. They faced multiple injuries throughout the playoffs, which was a huge reason why they fell to the Indiana Pacers. Now, this team is pretty much the same going into next season. But, should you expect the same thing for fantasy basketball?
Mobley’s Leap or Mitchell’s Show? Cavs Fantasy Preview 2025-26
1) Expect a Very Balanced Attack from the Big 4
Without question, the Cavs have four different All-Star caliber players on their roster, led by All-NBA guard Donovan Mitchell. Mitchell is the primary scoring option for the Cavs. He is also projected as the highest fantasy pick for the team. Not far behind him is Evan Mobley. Mobley is a two-way star in this league, and I project him to take a big leap for next season. The Cavs need Mobley to be at his best to have a chance at an NBA championship.
Next on the fantasy rankings comes Jarrett Allen. Many feel Allen is a polarizing player because of his fit in the modern NBA. A lot of people think that Mobley should be the starting center. But for now, Allen will continue to be a consistent double-double and a very solid fantasy option. Lastly comes Darius Garland. Garland is by far the most underrated option for the Cavs in the upcoming season. With the departure of Ty Jerome, I would expect some more Garland minutes without Mitchell on the floor. This could definitely boost Garland, as he could be in for another productive season.
2) How Impactful is the Loss of Ty Jerome?
The most impactful roster move for the Cavs was losing Ty Jerome to the Memphis Grizzlies. Jerome provided a huge offensive spark off the bench last season. Those minutes are definitely going to be hard to fill. To compensate for the loss, the Cavs acquired guard Lonzo Ball from the Chicago Bulls. Now, if Ball can stay healthy (a very big IF) I think he can definitely be impactful for this Cavs team. Ball is still a really solid defender who can bring good playmaking and above average shooting to this team. Outside of Ball, it is going to be a handful of guys who replace that production. I can see De’Andre Hunter, Sam Merrill, and Max Strus being asked to do a little more on offense.
The Last Word
Overall, the Cleveland Cavaliers are still one of the most talented teams in the NBA. They are led by their perennial All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell, followed by three other stars in Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen, and Evan Mobley. I think each of their fantasy values are good for now, but Mobley and Garland are the most underrated options. Drafting Garland as PG16 according to ESPN’s way-too-early rankings is a steal. De’Andre Hunter could also be a very underrated fantasy option if the Cavs use him to his full offensive potential. Expect the elite Cavs offense to produce some very relevant fantasy players this upcoming season.
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