Cavs Questions: Watson's Return, New Faces' Roles and…

By the Cavaliers Nightly Desk · Monday, October 5

The Cavaliers remain at 0-0 heading into their October 8 preseason opener against Boston, with Peyton Watson's return and four roster newcomers' roles still unresolved. Mario Hezonja's rumor mentions and Sean McNeil's unexplained two-day stint add to a camp full of open questions.

Cavaliers Nightly artwork — Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

When does Peyton Watson actually play again?

Watson has been sidelined with a right hamstring issue since September 25, with no further update since. The hamstring is the only injury Cleveland has on file right now, and an estimated return points to October 8, when the Cavaliers host Boston in their preseason opener. Nothing beyond that estimate has been confirmed.

What are Kadary Richmond, Curtis Jones, Zack Austin and Rashaun Agee actually here to do?

All four joined the roster on September 23, and three weeks later nobody outside the building has said what roles or contract terms any of them actually got. Richmond played just three games last season, Austin and Agee are rookies, and Jones is a second-year guard. Camp battles should sort out minutes, but none of that has been reported yet.

Is Mario Hezonja actually making this roster?

Hezonja turned up in a Cavaliers notes report on September 26 and again in an October 2 Central Division roundup alongside Zubac, Walker and Hield. Neither mention has produced a trade or a signing. At 31 and in his fifth NBA season, he's fighting for a depth spot on a roster already carrying $209.0 million in salary across 16 contracts.

What happened to Sean McNeil?

McNeil signed with Cleveland on September 15 and was gone by September 17, a two-day stay nobody has explained since. No team has announced where he landed, and the Cavaliers haven't addressed it either. It's the kind of transaction that gets buried once camp starts, but it still hasn't been clarified.

What's left before the preseason actually starts mattering?

Cleveland hosts Boston on October 8, then gets Orlando twice, at home October 11 on ESPN and on the road October 13 on Peacock. The regular season opener is set for October 22 at Philadelphia, also on ESPN. Everything before that date is roster evaluation, not standings.

The verdictNothing on this roster is settled until games are actually played, starting Thursday against the Celtics. Watson's hamstring and the four newcomers' roles are the two things worth watching closest.

When do the Cavaliers play again?

Cleveland hosts the Boston Celtics in its preseason opener on October 8.

When is the Cavaliers' regular season opener?

The Cavaliers open the regular season on October 22 at the Philadelphia 76ers, airing on ESPN.

By the Cavaliers Nightly Desk, written from the club's data and the reports on file, with every name and number checked against them. How the desks work.