Cavaliers weigh trades as payroll nears luxury tax line amid injuries

The Cleveland Cavaliers enter the 2025-26 season as the leading contender in the Eastern Conference, but mounting salary commitments and injuries have thrust the front office into a potentially franchise-altering decision over which core players to keep and which to move. League salary projections show Cleveland carrying roughly $226 million in payroll, about $38 million above the luxury tax line and more than $18 million above the restricted second apron, a position that triggers strict limits on signings, trades, and other roster moves and produces an estimated luxury tax bill approaching $150 million for the season.

That financial reality, combined with offseason injuries that could sideline guard Darius Garland for months and veteran Max Strus for roughly half the season, has sharpened speculation about major trades. Garland, a two-time All-Star who averaged 20.6 points and 6.7 assists per game last season, is recovering from toe surgery and remains a potentially valuable asset. At the same time, center Jarrett Allen faces a contract escalation that will increase his salary into the high 20s and low 30s of millions in coming seasons, and some evaluators see significant...