CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Cavs are approaching the halfway point of the 82-game regular season. They carried a 21-18 record into Saturday’s game against Minnesota. That projects to a 43-38 final record.
At the moment, they rank eighth in the East. At the very least, the Cavs want to finish in the top six so they can avoid the postseason play-in tournament.
No one should have expected a rerun of the 64-18 record in 2024-25. Not with Darius Garland (major toe surgery) and Jarrett Allen (broken finger and hand injuries) coming back before they were even close to 100% physically.
A starter a year ago, Max Strus has yet to play after having foot surgery. He’ll be out for at least another month. Every team has injuries, but the Cavs seem to have had more key players than many teams this season.
“Clunky” has been the operative word for this Cavs season. Coach Kenny Atkinson used it early when the Cavs struggled on offense and lacked the flow of a year ago.
A big reason is injuries to key players. But there have been times when the Cavs had at least most of their stars on the court. That has led to some good … then some … well .. clunkers.
While some in the media act as if this is a disastrous season. It’s not.
These playoff teams from a year ago are in the calamity zone: Indiana (7-31), Dallas (14-24) and the Clippers (13-23).
The Cavs?
They are somewhere in the middle. Generally, it’s win one, lose one this season.
That said, they were 12-6 on Nov. 23. Since then, they are 9-12. The Cavs view this season as there are a lot of games left.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Denver Nuggets, January 02, 2026
It's been a frustrating season for Kenny Atkinson and the Cavs. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
It’s not just coaching
The temptation is to blame the coach when a high-priced team with huge expectations plays sort of … clunky.
Does Kenny Atkinson sometimes play some strange lineups and combinations? He does, and has admitted as much. They have used 21 different lineups in the first 39 games.
Part of the reason is his search for finding a lineup that flows as all the players come and go due to injuries.
But some significant moves by the front office have not paid off. In the middle of last season, the front office traded for De’Andre Hunter. He was the best sixth man in the NBA at the time with Atlanta.
Hunter is having a frustrating season. He is shooting only 43% from the field, 31% on 3-pointers. That compares to 48% (43%) a year ago. Hunter often seems passive.
Atkinson opened the season with Hunter starting. The coach moved Hunter to the bench, hoping to help Hunter return to the player who averaged 19 points per game in that role with Atlanta when he was traded to Cleveland.
The long-armed, 6-foot-7 Hunter can defend. He can rebound. He can score. He’s not an All-Star, but when focused is an above average player. He occasionally has games where that is evident … but not often.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Portland Trail Blazers, December 3, 2025
Lonzo Ball is shooting only 30% from the field. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
What is with Lonzo Ball?
The Cavs traded Isaac Okoro to Chicago for Lonzo Ball, wanting to bring a tall 6-foot-4 point guard to help defend and handle the ball against pressure defense.
Ball remains skilled in those areas.
But he can’t score. No one even bothers to guard him.
Ball is shooting 30% from the field, 23% on 3-pointers.
Check this: He has attempted 148 shots and 123 are from 3-point range.
That means 83% of his shots are from 3-point range – and he makes 23% of those.
Lonzo, how about driving to the rim? Your shot bangs against the rim harder than a Jose Ramirez line drive.
Hunter and Ball were supposed to help the Cavs withstand the early season injuries. That hasn’t happened. Ball has lost playing time to Craig Porter Jr., who has earned it. The veteran has sat out four of the last six games.
nba action between the cavaliers and the pistons
Darius Garland is averaging 20 points and shooting 51% in his last 10 games. David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com
Garland’s comeback
Garland has been slowly coming back from his toe surgery.
In his last 10 games, he has played with more confidence – driving to the rim and doesn’t seem as concerned about re-injuring his toe.
In that span, he’s averaging 20 points, 7.1 assists and shooting 51% (41% on 3-pointers). Garland has to be a dynamic scorer and point guard because he is one of the worst defensive guards in the NBA.
One of the reasons for adding Ball was to help in this area. But Ball’s cataclysmic shooting woes have sidelined that plan – at least for now.
If Garland continues to trend upward, that could bring more consistency to the Cavs – especially when it comes to scoring in the fourth quarter.
Donovan Mitchell is having an epic season, scoring 30 points a game. He leads all NBA players in scoring in the second half of games. He can’t keep carrying such a heavy load. Garland is the natural option to help.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Denver Nuggets, January 02, 2026
Evan Mobley needs to play with more force inside. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
Evan Mobley needs to figure it out
An organizational mistake was trying to turn Evan Mobley into a big-time scorer early in the season. They wanted him handling the ball more and taking more 3-point shots.
That’s not his game.
Mobley was the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year. Yes, he can take some wide-open 3-pointers a few times a game. Yes, the 7-footer has good ballhandling skills.
But he’s not Magic Johnson. He is … the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year. He can block shots. He can rebound. He can defend players of almost any size.
Scoring? He can deliver 15 to 20 points a game if he concentrates driving on to the rim and/or using his jump hook.
It feels as if Mobley has been in the NBA forever, but he’s only 24. He remains a developing player – and that’s not an excuse. He is averaging 17.8 points and 8.7 rebounds while shooting 51% (34% on 3-pointers).
The guy is a borderline All-Star and he’s still trying to figure out what works best for him on offense. I’m not worried about Mobley. But it is true that the attempt to dramatically change his game on offense led to some early season problems. Furthermore, Mobley has to be more assertive rebounding even when he’s not getting the ball near the rim.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Denver Nuggets, January 02, 2026
The Cavs could trade De'Andre Hunter to try and cut salary to get under the "Second Apron."Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
The dreaded second apron
The NBA trade deadline is Feb. 5.
In the next few weeks, the front office will evaluate the roster. I don’t sense a rush to break up the Core Four of Mitchell, Mobley, Garland and Jarrett Allen.
But the team is looking to “make some moves along the margins,” as an NBA source told me.
The Cavs are $22 million over the second apron. They have the NBA’s highest payroll and are the only team in the second apron – which makes it very hard to put together complicated trades. For example, they can’t take back more money in a trade than they send away.
Hunter is paid $23 million this season and $25 million in 2026-27. The Cavs could look to move him for a cheaper player just to help the salary cap situation.
Ball is making $10 million in 2025-26. He has a team option for $10 million in 2026-27. He also is a trade candidate.
Dealing Ball and Hunter would create more opportunities for young rising players such as Jaylon Tyson, Craig Porter Jr. and Nae’Qwan Tomlin. The team needs their energy.
The Cavs have a very expensive roster that so far has underachieved. More has been wrong than the injuries.
Soon, they have to address that as the trade deadline is only three weeks away.
Hear me talk:
January 28: I will be doing a faith-based talk with Regina Brett at the Music Box in the Flats. Doors open at 5:30, the show is at 7 p.m. It is a benefit for Akron’s Haven of Rest. Here’s where to get more information: https://musicboxcle.com/event/inspiring-stories-jan28
January 29: I will be speaking and signing books at the new Barnes & Noble Strongsville store. The talk begins at 6:30 p.m.