For 27 NBA franchises, the 2026 offseason has begun.
Which teams are ready to take the next step in their rebuilds? Which have massive draft and trade decisions ahead? Could stars such as Giannis Antetokounmpo and Ja Morant be on the move this summer?
And, with the Los Angeles Lakers ' offseason officially underway , where will LeBron James be in 2026-27?
We're breaking down the potential moves for each eliminated franchise, including a look at the state of the roster, finances, front office priorities, extension candidates to watch, team needs and future draft assets.
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2025-26 record: 52-30 Draft picks in June: No. 29
Keon Ellis
James Harden
Thomas Bryant
Larry Nance Jr.
Craig Porter Jr.
Dean Wade
Olivier Sarr
State of the roster:
Trades to acquire veterans Harden and Dennis Schroder were supposed to fix the Cavaliers' playoff shortcomings from last year.
βWe'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,β Cavaliers resident of basketball operations Koby Altman said in February. βAnd now, I think we're adding just a tremendous amount of experience, know-how.β
The Cavaliers went 21-11 since the trade deadline, but Cleveland was eliminated from the playoffs less than four months after Altman's statement.
This time, getting swept by New York in the conference finals.
The Cavaliers' $281 million payroll is the largest in franchise history, and Cleveland is the only team finishing over the second apron this season.
As a result, its first-round pick in 2033 is frozen and cannot be traded.
Losing in the conference finals, especially after being up 20 points in the fourth quarter of Game 1 and then getting blown out at home in Games 3 and 4, will lead to questions if more changes are needed or if Cleveland can afford to return most of its roster.
The team has 11 players under contract for 2026-27, including Harden, Donovan Mitchell , Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen .
Harden has a $42.3 million player option and could provide financial relief if both sides restructure his salary.
Mitchell is eligible to negotiate a four-year extension starting on July 7.
For a second straight season, Cleveland is also projected to be over the second apron.
Even with the apron restrictions, Cleveland did orchestrate trades during the regular season.
And it is allowed to trade the 29th pick starting the night of the draft and can move a future first-round pick.