2025-26 Cavs Starting Lineup: Get to Know the Cavs Depth Chart in February 2026

What Is the Cleveland Cavs' Starting Lineup?

The Cleveland Cavaliers lean on a dynamic nucleus led by Donovan Mitchell, whose scoring ability and late-game shot creation set the tone offensively, alongside James Harden, a seasoned floor general who controls tempo and creates opportunities for others. Inside, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen form one of the league’s most reliable defensive tandems, with Mobley’s length and versatility disrupting offenses and Allen providing strong rim protection and rebounding presence. On the wing, Dean Wade supplies valuable spacing and defensive adaptability. Off the bench, Dennis Schröder offers steady guard play, Sam Merrill stretches defenses with his shooting, and Craig Porter Jr. brings energy and defensive intensity. Additional frontcourt support from Larry Nance Jr., Thomas Bryant, and rising contributor Nae’Qwan Tomlin strengthens Cleveland’s depth, giving the team a well-rounded rotation built to compete on both ends of the floor.

*out with injury

Point Guard James Harden

James Harden gives the Cavaliers a veteran presence in the backcourt, bringing elite playmaking and the ability to control the pace of the game. His scoring versatility — from step-back threes to drawing fouls and finishing at the rim — adds another dynamic layer to Cleveland’s offense alongside Donovan Mitchell. Beyond the stat sheet, Harden’s experience in big moments provides leadership and composure for a team with championship aspirations.

Shooting Guard Donovan Mitchell

Mitchell was the Cavaliers’ marquee acquisition before the 2022–23 season, costing the team multiple future first-round picks as they outbid the New York Knicks to land him. He serves as the primary option in the offense and is the player who makes it click. Ranking among the NBA’s top talents, Mitchell has been central to the team’s success and remains vital to their championship aspirations.

Small Forward Dean Wade

Stepping in as the starting small forward, Dean Wade serves as a multi-positional defender, helping offset the smaller backcourt of Garland and Mitchell with his size on the wing. While he has made a positive impact on the roster, his season has been affected by knee and toe injuries.

Power Forward Evan Mobley

Mobley won Defensive Player of the Year last season and is once again near the top of the odds boards at most Ohio sportsbooks. The 24-year-old has proven himself as a dynamic two-way talent, and his rim-protecting presence alongside Jarrett Allen makes the Cavaliers a challenging matchup for any opponent this season. 

Center Jarrett Allen

Jarrett Allen is an elite shot-blocker whom the Cavaliers were fortunate to acquire when the Brooklyn Nets went all-in on James Harden, trading away several of their top young players, a smart move by GM Koby Altman. Allen brings elite rim protection and rebounding to the Cleveland Cavaliers’ starting five, anchoring their defense while contributing efficiently on offense.

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Who Is on the Cleveland Cavs' Bench?

Lonzo Ball joins the roster and will look to provide a spark off the bench, alongside Sam Merrill, Dean Wade, and Larry Nance Jr. There is great potential for this bunch to help the Cavs get to the next level. 

And if you want to make any of these players the nominal "captain" of your fantasy season, be sure to check out our story about funny fantasy basketball names. 

Who Is the Cavs 6th Man?

Cleveland has traded De’Andre Hunter to the Sacramento Kings in a three-team deal that also involved the Chicago Bulls. In return, the Cavaliers acquired veteran guard Dennis Schröder and 3-and-D wing Keon Ellis (plus a two-way player) — a move aimed at bolstering their backcourt depth and shedding a hefty salary to improve flexibility down the stretch.

With Hunter gone, Dennis Schröder looks poised to step into the team’s key bench role, pushing him into the de facto new sixth man — a veteran playmaker who can run the second unit and provide scoring punch. 

While the Cavs don't have NBA Sixth Man Award odds candidates at DraftKings, they still have many players who can do well off the bench. 

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Get to Know the Cleveland Cavs' Front Office

Who Is the Cavs' Head Coach?

Kenny Atkinson is the head coach after the Cavaliers hired him before the season began, following the firing of J.B. Bickerstaff. He is in his second season with the Cavaliers. He previously served as the head coach of the Brooklyn Nets from 2016-2020, and served as an assistant coach for four seasons for the Golden State Warriors. 

Who Is the Cavs' General Manager?

Gansey was a very good high school player who finished runner-up to LeBron James for Ohio's Mr. Basketball at Olmsted Falls H.S. He played in the D-League and in the Summer League for the Heat and Clippers but never made it to the NBA. He was G-League Executive of the Year for the Canton Charge in 2017 before joining the Cavaliers' front office, where he was promoted to GM over a year ago under president of basketball operations Koby Altman.

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Author

Robert Hayek

@RobertBHayek

Robert B. Hayek has been writing about sports for over a decade and is currently a member of the Gambling.com Group team. In his spare time, he runs the largest sports meetup group in Orange County, CA, actively participating in every sport imaginable. He is also a published author of five thriller novels, all available on Amazon.