Cleveland's bill for this roster sits at $209.0 million, past the $200.4 million tax threshold and landing right on the $209.0 million first apron. The money owed to Mitchell, Mobley, Harden and Allen only grows next season, and the draft capital behind it is thin.
How far over the tax threshold are the Cavs?
Cleveland's payroll sits at $209.0 million, past the $200.4 million tax threshold and right at the $209.0 million first apron. The salary cap itself is $165.0 million, and the second apron sits further out at $221.7 million. This roster is built above the tax, not past the hardest line the league has.
Which contracts are driving that number?
Five deals carry the weight: Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley each at $50.1 million, James Harden at $30.6 million, Jarrett Allen at $28.0 million and Peyton Watson at $20.5 million. Those five alone account for most of the $209.0 million bill, before a single bench salary gets added in.
Is there a harder cap line still ahead?
Yes. The second apron sits at $221.7 million, above Cleveland's current $209.0 million payroll. The Cavaliers already sit at the first apron, at $209.0 million, so this roster has already crossed into the league's stricter spending tier, even with room left before that top threshold.
What happens to this bill next season?
It climbs. Mitchell can opt into $60.9 million for 2027-28, Mobley jumps to $53.8 million, Harden to $32.2 million and Allen to $30.2 million. Watson's number rises too, to $21.5 million. Every top contract on this roster gets more expensive next year, not less.
How thin is the draft capital behind all this money?
Very. The first-round picks in 2027, 2028 and 2029 are all swaps, not outright Cavs property. The second-rounders those same years are owed out: Chicago in 2027, Utah in 2028, Atlanta in 2029. The only clean pick left is the 2030 first; the 2030 second is owed to San Antonio.
Are the Cavaliers paying the luxury tax this season?
Yes. Cleveland's $209.0 million payroll is past the $200.4 million tax threshold, and it sits right at the $209.0 million first apron.
How many first-round picks do the Cavaliers actually own going forward?
Just one outright, the 2030 first. The 2027, 2028 and 2029 firsts are all swaps with other teams.
More from The Wine & Gold Report
all Cavaliers news →
Week ahead · Thu, Oct 8The Week Ahead: Two Looks at Orlando Before the Real Date Arrives
Morning · Thu, Oct 8Cavs Questions: Watson's Target Date, Porter's Camp Case, Celtics Tonight
Cap watch · Sun, Oct 4Cap Watch: What Cleveland's $209.0M Payroll Actually Means
Cap watch · Thu, Oct 1Cap Watch: Cleveland's Payroll Problem, By the Numbers