The Cleveland Cavaliers executed three significant trades before the 2026 NBA trade deadline on Thursday at 3 p.m. ET, aiming to enhance their roster for the remainder of the season and beyond. With these moves, Cleveland trimmed its salary cap to just under $4 million above the second luxury tax apron. The Cavs acquired James Harden, Keon Ellis, Dennis Schroder, and Emanuel Miller while sending out Darius Garland, De’Andre Hunter, and Lonzo Ball.
These moves mark a major shift in the Cavs’ strategy, signaling urgency to compete immediately while retaining flexibility for the future. President Koby Altman emphasized the importance of the deals during a media call, noting the blend of experience and depth added to the team.
James Harden Joins Cavaliers in a Major Trade with Clippers
Arguably the centerpiece of Cleveland’s trade deadline activity was acquiring James Harden along with a 2026 second-round pick from the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Darius Garland. Harden, an 11-time All-Star and former MVP ranked as a top-75 player in NBA history, brings elite scoring and playmaking to Cleveland’s backcourt alongside Donovan Mitchell.
Head coach Kenny Atkinson referred to Harden’s arrival as adding a “different dimension.” Harden’s reputation as an isolation scorer and facilitator, particularly his ability to support big men in pick-and-roll actions, is expected to elevate the Cavaliers’ offense. Altman highlighted Harden’s durability and current high-level play, noting that he appeared in 79 games last season with an average of 35 minutes per game despite being 36 years old.
We made a monumental trade to land James Harden,
Altman said.
We think that he raises our ceiling and gives us a chance to have real playoff success. James is a top-75 player of all time, one of the greatest players in NBA history that’s still playing at an elite level. He gives us a different look in the backcourt. He’s 6-5, and he gets downhill, and he is ninth in the league in drives. He’s strong. He’s creative.
?Koby Altman, Cavaliers President
Altman also stressed Harden’s mindset and leadership, describing him as a savvy player who has studied Cleveland’s roster and potential lineups. Harden views the Cavaliers as a prime destination to contend for the Larry O’Brien Trophy, which remains elusive after a seventeen-year NBA career.
That’s the ultimate goal, to try to get to a conference finals, a Finals, and win a championship,
Altman affirmed.
We think without a doubt that James raises our level. James Harden has never missed the playoffs in his career. Think about that. Sixteen years. James has played in 173 playoff games. Over 6,000 minutes logged of playoff basketball. Playing at an elite level this year. That helps us. That was the reason.
?Koby Altman, Cavaliers President
Altman also acknowledged the positive effect Harden’s experience will have, especially in high-pressure playoff moments, providing a calming and stabilizing presence alongside Donovan Mitchell.
Really excited about when it gets to a chaotic time in the playoffs and we’re on the road, and there’s a fever pitch, being able to throw the ball to him and calm this thing down,
Altman said.
Let’s get a good possession, right? Let’s get a good possession when it gets really, really tight, and it’s loud in that building.
We’ve gone to the playoffs the last few years largely as a young team, not a very experienced playoff team, trying to figure it out. Now, I think we’re adding just a tremendous amount of experience and know-how.
?Koby Altman, Cavaliers President
The Cavaliers carefully examined Harden’s previous playoff performances and concluded that most of his postseason appearances were productive, with very few poor outings. Altman pointed out that Harden’s role will be different in Cleveland; he will share the spotlight with Mitchell rather than carry the team entirely on his back.
It’s hard being the No. 1 option on a championship-level team,
Altman reflected.
I think the good news for him is he has another No. 1 option right next to him. He has incredible shooting around him. He has two incredible bigs from a defensive standpoint and skill set that really help him. And so, it’s not James coming in here as the No. 1 option, having to carry a team on his back and beat the 73-win Golden State Warrior world beaters, right?
That’s not what we’re asking him to be here. So he elevates us, and we’re not putting that burden on him like it’s been in the past.
?Koby Altman, Cavaliers President
Regarding Harden’s contract situation, Cleveland believes it holds significant leverage once the playoffs conclude. Harden has waived his no-trade clause to join the Cavs and retains an opt-out option on his deal.
I think that’s something that needs to be spoken about,
Altman said.
He had control of where he’d be traded or not traded, and he sought us out as a destination, a basketball destination, leaving lovely Los Angeles and an incredible basketball situation where he was at — to where he wants to be to compete for a championship.
I’ve been banging this drum for a long time: Cleveland’s a great basketball destination. You can have some of the best years of your career here, and guys want to play here. One of the best players to ever put on a jersey wants to be here in Cleveland, and I think it’s a privilege. I think it’s a privilege and honor that we’re going to see James surpass a bunch of milestones as he chases this championship ring with us.
?Koby Altman, Cavaliers President
However, questions linger about how Harden’s playing style will mesh with a younger, faster-paced Cleveland roster and his chemistry with Donovan Mitchell. Altman and coach Ty Lue remain optimistic but acknowledge the need for adjustments in coaching strategies and player roles. The Cavs are also mindful of whether Harden will commit long-term if quick success is not achieved immediately.
Maybe too much harmony, right? Maybe we do need to shake it up,
Altman remarked.
But no, we have great guys, great culture pieces.
Adding Defensive Depth: Keon Ellis and Dennis Schroder’s Role in Flipping the Roster
Alongside Harden, the Cavaliers acquired guard Dennis Schroder and wing Keon Ellis in a trade sending De’Andre Hunter to the Sacramento Kings. Both Schroder and Ellis immediately demonstrated their value in their debut performances, integrating quickly into Cleveland’s system.
I think you saw how Dennis showed a fit right in and Keon fit in to what we’re trying to do,
Altman commented.
Dennis gives us a different dynamic, downhill driver,
he added.
I mean, [Wednesday] night we just lived in the paint, which just puts a lot of pressure on the defense. We just didn’t have that this year outside of Darius and Donovan. So him getting downhill was really important for us.
Keon is a really nice piece for us. Catch and shoot, can play 2, 3, can guard up, deflections, steals. I think you saw some of that. A wonderful, wonderful person.
?Koby Altman, Cavaliers President
Schroder brings a robust competitive edge, bolstered by his international accomplishments, including the 2023 FIBA World Cup MVP and the 2025 EuroBasket MVP. Altman values Schroder’s knack for elevating his game in critical moments, which fits well with the team’s playoff ambitions.
Dennis raises his level at the highest level,
Altman stated.
When things get tight and the stakes are the highest, that’s when Dennis raises his level. Dennis won a 2023 FIBA World Cup MVP, and then won the MVP for the 2025 EuroBasket last year. There’s like a handful of guys that’s ever done that.
He’s real when it comes to competitive basketball. Those games internationally are one-and-done, too. And so, I love being able to add him to our playoff mix just because of his competitive level. Kenny and him go back. Kenny coached him. We’ve tracked his career closely. This fit right now, this year, for the Cavs, he makes a lot of sense.
?Koby Altman, Cavaliers President
Altman also pointed to Jaylon Tyson’s progress, a prominent offseason workout partner of Craig Porter Jr., as justification for trading Hunter. Tyson has emerged as a candidate for the Rising Star and Most Improved Player awards, and the front office sees potential for him to contribute more consistently.
De’Andre came in and made an immediate impact, but you always have to look and say, ‘Okay, is this the right fit for us? And this year it just hadn’t been the right fit,
Altman explained.
And as a front office, sometimes you don’t bat a thousand percent. And the great thing about Dan [Gilbert] is he allows you [to make moves]. You fail quickly, right? You pivot and figure out what’s a better fit. We’re fortunate in that we were able to pivot and find a better fit for us.
Jaylon has been a revelation for us. And so creating a pathway for him to be successful, minutes for him to be successful certainly went into that decision-making process, and we couldn’t be more excited about him. We talk about Evan as our future. We really need to start adding Jaylon Tyson into that conversation.
?Koby Altman, Cavaliers President
With Schroder, Ellis, Tyson, Porter, and Tomlin forming a tough and tenacious group, the Cavaliers aim to build a more aggressive defensive identity. Altman noted a desire to emphasize full-court pressure, deflections, and disruptive play in the backcourt.
I think there’s characteristics that I want, so I want to extrapolate that a little bit,
Altman said.
Kenny wants to play with a different kind of attitude this year: picking up full, deflections, steals, pressuring the ball, getting turns in the back court, pressuring people feeling you on the catch, blowing up screens, blasting through a screen, and making the catch further out.
We didn’t have the personnel for that. I think one or two guys could do that versus what we have now, when you have five or six guys that can pick up full and guard the ball and create havoc in the back court. And so I think that creates an identity. We’ll see how that evolves over the next 30 games and how much we want to use that as a lever.
?Koby Altman, Cavaliers President
Lonzo Ball Traded to Jazz to Clear Roster Spot and Boost Young Talent
The Cavs traded guard Lonzo Ball, along with 2028 and 2032 second-round picks, to the Utah Jazz to free up salary cap space and promote Nae’Qwan Tomlin from a two-way contract to a full roster spot. Ball’s tenure in Cleveland was short-lived and did not meet expectations.
Not only is he getting converted, but he’s playing real minutes, and he’s helping us,
Altman said of Tomlin.
So he’s been a revelation. I think, hopefully, it’s a great problem to have when we’re all healthy, and we have to figure it out.
?Koby Altman, Cavaliers President
This move reflects the Cavs’ willingness to invest in young players who have shown promise and fit their developing identity, while allowing veterans like Ball, who did not mesh well, to move on.
Evaluating the Trade Deadline: Mixed Results and a Clear Direction Forward
The Cavaliers emerged from the trade deadline with a notable upgrade in talent and a healthier salary cap outlook. Reducing long-term financial burdens and adding players like Schroder and Ellis provide them with improved depth and competitive grit heading into the post-All-Star stretch.
Despite high hopes tied to Harden’s arrival, there remains caution about the immediate synergy of the revamped roster. Making last-minute significant additions to a roster rarely results in a championship in the same season, and Cleveland may experience growing pains adjusting to new roles and dynamics over the final 30 regular-season games.
Altman’s front office understands that moving on from Garland was only the beginning of the team’s evolution. If the current configuration does not produce the desired success this year, expect more trades and adjustments as Cleveland continues pushing aggressively toward a championship window.
The 2026 trade deadline signals a pivotal moment for the Cavaliers—their win-now approach has accelerated, and there is little room for retreat. The coming months will determine whether these bold moves can finally deliver the playoff breakthroughs that have eluded them, or if further changes will be required to build a title contender.
