Cleveland is still 0-0, but the calendar now has three preseason games and an Oct. 22 opener at the 76ers attached to it. Weems made his first roster moves since taking charge, and Peyton Watson's hamstring clock runs out today.
Where does Peyton Watson's hamstring stand?
Watson has been sidelined with a right hamstring issue since Sept. 25, with his return targeted for today, Oct. 1. No update has followed since that initial listing. He's the projected starter at small forward, and Cleveland.com reported this week that the staff believes it has finally settled that spot with him in it, hamstring willing.
What's actually new with the Cavs this week?
Brandon Weems took over as the Cavs' basketball boss Sept. 18, and his first visible moves landed five days later: Rashaun Agee, Curtis Jones, Kadary Richmond and Zack Austin all signed Sept. 23. No roles or deal terms were revealed. Everyone else on the 21-man roster carries over from last season's 52-30 group, still waiting on game one.
When do the Cavs actually play again?
The preseason starts Oct. 8, when the Celtics visit Rocket Arena, followed by a back-to-back with Orlando: Oct. 11 on ESPN, then Oct. 13 on Peacock and NBC Sports Network. The real opener is Oct. 22 on the road against the 76ers, airing on ESPN. Everything before that date is exhibition basketball against a 0-0 record that still means nothing.
How tight is the payroll this season?
Cleveland is carrying $209.0 million in salary, sitting above the $200.4 million luxury tax line and closing in on the $221.7 million second apron. Evan Mobley and Donovan Mitchell each account for $50.1 million of that, with James Harden's $30.6 million and Jarrett Allen's $28.0 million right behind. There isn't much room left to maneuver before those apron restrictions start biting.
Is a trade actually coming for Watson?
Nothing's confirmed. Watson's name surfaced again in a Sept. 29 hoopsrumors roundup alongside Mitchell, Edens, Trent Jr. and Nance Jr., with no specifics attached to any of the five. He's turned up in similar notes twice before, on Sept. 18 and Sept. 26, and no deal has materialized either time. Read it as noise until an actual report names a team and a return.
Have the Cavaliers made any trades this offseason?
No trade has been reported. The only confirmed roster moves are the four Sept. 23 signings: Agee, Jones, Richmond and Austin.
When does the Cavaliers' regular season start?
Oct. 22, on the road against the 76ers, airing on ESPN.
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