No team sets out to get swept in the Eastern Conference Finals. Cleveland put so much into its core — upgrading at the deadline only to fall short again despite being a top-four team in the East. The wheels came off at the worst time, losing to a Knicks team that has been unbeatable for two rounds. Still, for fantasy basketball managers, this roster kept delivering all year.
That deserves some respect, so let’s recap the season and look ahead to what’s next for the Cavs.
Advertisement
Mitchell averaged 27.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.5 steals per game, locking him in as a first-round fantasy player in High Score and 9-cat leagues. Not much more you can ask of Spida. He was available, playing in 70 games and producing.
The playoffs were a different story, as the Knicks’ defense made life miserable and Mitchell’s efficiency suffered. Even then, it looked like he was the only Cavs player to show proof of life throughout the entire Eastern Conference Finals. I’d be looking to draft Mitchell in the early second round next season.
Harden complemented Mitchell well in the regular season, finishing 33rd after the trade deadline in 9-cat leagues but finishing 23rd overall for the year and 11th in High Score. Not bad for a 36-year-old in his 17th NBA season.
Advertisement
Now, the postseason is a different story. He was horrendous in the ECF, registering more turnovers than assists and shooting 39% from the field. He can’t seem to shake that playoff narrative, but one thing we can’t take from Harden is that his teams always make the playoffs.
He has a $42M player option for next year, so we’ll see if he exercises it or gets an extension. Harden remains a strong asset for points, assists, 3s, steals and FT% despite his age. Harden as a third-round fantasy option fits.
It’s a valid question, given how the regular season and postseason have gone recently. Mobley averaged 18.2 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 2.0 blocks per game. Strong numbers and worthy of a fourth-rounder in fantasy.
Advertisement
Still, the statistical arc is flattening.
Mobley hasn’t taken a significant scoring leap and his numbers are always weaker in the postseason. His free-throw shooting remains a liability in 9-cat. Plus, his 3-point development, while improved, hasn’t unlocked the next level that many projected. Mobley should be the clear number two option, but his passiveness and lack of assertiveness limit his upside.
I think he’s a bit overrated and that’s okay — I just might be looking elsewhere around his fourth round ADP.
Final Thoughts
The Cavs saved $115M in salary by trading Darius Garland, three second-round picks, De’Andre Hunter and waiving Lonzo Ball to land Harden, Keon Ellis and Dennis Schröder. It got them under the second apron, with some wiggle room to re-sign Harden. If he opts out, well, that wouldn’t be good for the Cavs.
Advertisement
Or would it?
Jarrett Allen was a better 9-cat asset than High Score. However, he really fell short defensively, not registering more than 1 block per game for the second straight season. His 55th overall ADP is a bit high for my liking. Second-year forward Jaylon Tyson started 42 of 66 games and averaged 13.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.2 stocks and 2.0 3s, while shooting 49.8% from the field. I think he’s a player to watch going forward.
Lastly, Kenny Atkinson’s coaching scheme supports five fantasy players pretty well. Let’s hope that continues heading into the 2026-27 season.