INDEPENDENCE — The number of questions facing Cavaliers president of basketball operations Koby Altman this offseason is too staggering to quantify in the aftermath of the Cavs being swept by the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Reporters who speak to Altman on Friday, May 29, won’t possibly be able to get to the bottom of every potential topic during a season wrap-up news conference at Cleveland Clinic Courts. Time is limited in such settings, and Altman is sure to keep some secrets in the name of strategy.
Still, Altman will at least have a chance to set expectations on several fronts. The Cavs are keeping Altman and coach Kenny Atkinson despite a disappointing ending to the team’s 2026 postseason run. But how does Altman view their job security moving forward? And what about the futures of guards Donovan Mitchell and James Harden, forward Evan Mobley, center Jarrett Allen and other players on the roster? Is LeBron James coming home? Is a trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo in the cards?
Some highlights from the news conference, which is scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m., will be here:
Cleveland Cavaliers 2025-26 season review
Despite using 41 starting lineups because of a season-long rash of injuries in 2025-26, the Cavs went 52-30 during the regular season to earn the Eastern Conference’s No. 4 playoff seed.
The Cavs eventually advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2018 and for the first time since 1992 without LeBron James on their roster. Then the Cavs were knocked out with a 4-0 series loss to the Knicks.
How did the Cavs end their season in the 2026 NBA playoffs?
- The Cavs were swept by the third-seeded New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals.
- Game 1: Knicks 115, Cavs 104, OT; Knicks lead series 1-0
- Game 2: Knicks 109, Cavs 93; Knicks lead series 2-0
- Game 3: Knicks 121, Cavs 108; Knicks lead series 3-0
- Game 4: Knicks 130, Cavs 93; Knicks win series 4-0
- The Cavs beat the top-seeded Detroit Pistons 4-3 in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
- Game 1: Pistons 111, Cavs 101; Pistons lead series 1-0
- Game 2: Pistons 107, Cavs 97; Pistons lead series 2-0
- Game 3: Cavs 116, Pistons 109; Pistons lead series 2-1
- Game 4: Cavs 112, Pistons 103; series tied 2-2
- Game 5: Cavs 117, Pistons 113, OT; Cavs lead series 3-2
- Game 6: Pistons 115, Cavs 94, series tied 3-3
- Game 7: Cavs 125, Pistons 94; Cavs win series 4-3
- The Cavs beat the fifth-seeded Toronto Raptors 4-3 in the first round.
- Game 1: Cavs 126, Raptors 113; Cavs lead series 1-0
- Game 2: Cavs 115, Raptors 105; Cavs lead series 2-0
- Game 3: Raptors 126, Cavs 104; Cavs lead series 2-1
- Game 4: Raptors 93, Cavs 89; series tied 2-2
- Game 5: Cavs 125, Raptors 120; Cavs lead series 3-2
- Game 6: Raptors 112, Cavaliers 110; series tied 3-3
- Game 7: Cavs 114, Raptors 102; Cavs win series 4-3
Cavs roster for 2026-27 season
Here is who the Cavs have under contract for the 2026-27 season:
- Guard Donovan Mitchell ($50.1M)
- Forward Evan Mobley ($50.1M)
- Center Jarrett Allen ($28M)
- Small forward Max Strus ($16.6M)
- Point guard Dennis Schroder ($14.8M)
- Guard Sam Merrill ($9.1M)
- Wing Jaylon Tyson ($3.7M)
- Forward Nae’Qwan Tomlin ($2.4M)
- Point guard Tyrese Proctor ($2.2M)
- Forward Riley Minix (two-way)
- Forward Tristan Enaruna (two-way)
Cavaliers free agents
The Cavs’ group of impending free agents includes the following:
- Point guard James Harden (player option)
- Guard Keon Ellis
- Forward Dean Wade
- Center Thomas Bryant
- Forward Larry Nance Jr.
- Point guard Craig Porter Jr. (club option)
Cleveland Cavaliers playoff history during their Donovan Mitchell era
The Cavs have made the playoffs in four consecutive seasons.
Here are the results from those four postseasons, all of which have occurred since the Cavs traded for All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell in 2022:
- 2025-26: Lost 4-0 in the Eastern Conference Finals to the New York Knicks after beating the Detroit Pistons 4-3 in the Eastern Conference semifinals and the Toronto Raptors 4-3 in the first round
- 2024-25: Lost 4-1 in the second round to the Indiana Pacers after sweeping the Miami Heat 4-0 in the first round
- 2023-24: Lost 4-1 in the second round to the Boston Celtics after beating the Orlando Magic 4-3 in the first round
- 2022-23: Lost 4-1 in the first round to the New York Knicks
Nate Ulrich is the sports columnist of the Akron Beacon Journal and a sports features writer. Nate can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Koby Altman discusses Cavs’ future with Kenny Atkinson, roster moves
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