Hanifan’s Offseason Outlook: Evaluating the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 2025 offseason

For our second annual offseason outlook series, Hot Hot Hoops senior writer Matt Hanifan will provide his take on the offseasons of all 30 teams for the next 30 days! We will proceed in alphabetical order, starting with the Eastern Conference. Today, we will be hitting the Cleveland Cavaliers’ offseason.

Past Previews:

Sept. 1: Atlanta Hawks
Sept. 2: Boston Ce l tics
Sept. 3: Brooklyn Nets
Sept. 4: Charlotte Hornets
Sept. 5: Chicago Bulls

Evaluating the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 2025 offseason:

Additions: Lonzo Ball, Larry Nance Jr.

Subtractions: Ty Jerome, Chuma Okeke, Isaac Okoro, Javonte Green, Tristan Thompson

Re-signed: Sam Merrill

Draft: Tyrese Proctor (No. 49), Saliou Niang (No. 58)

Hanifan’s outlook: After dismantling the Miami Heat in historic fashion, the Cleveland Cavaliers vaporized against the reigning Eastern Conference champion Indiana Pacers in five games. Darius Garland wasn’t healthy, but the Pacers completely out-executed a 64-win Cavaliers team that was one of the best two-way teams in the NBA last season.

By re-signing Jarrett Allen, Evan Mobley and Donovan Mitchell last offseason, Cleveland essentially built a two-year window before the cap penalties begin to creep up. As a result of Ty Jerome’s departure and Darius Garland’s toe surgery, the Cavaliers acquired Lonzo Ball from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Isaac Okoro.

Ball’s health concerns are notable, but I love the prospect of buying low on Ball for a back-end rotation player. When he’s healthy, he’s a very good floor general and is capable of organizing any bench unit.

Cleveland got excellent value with Tyrese Proctor 49th overall. He can be a perfect complementary piece alongside Garland, Mitchell and Ball. He doesn’t need the ball in his hands to be impactful, and I’m a believer his 3-point shooting could be a real asset.

I don’t think the Cavaliers had a bad offseason. They are a second-apron team, so they didn’t have much flexibility to do anything. They are, once again, a prime contender for the East crown next season. If not now, then when?!