Cleveland Cavaliers 2026–27 projection
5th in the East · Central
44.0±7.8How far a typical season lands from the projection, in wins (one standard deviation). Bigger means a wider range. projected wins
On the playoff bubbleProjected wins44–38 record
- Net ratingProjected point differential per game: points scored minus points allowed. Positive means outscoring opponents.
- +1.3
- Likely winsThe middle 80% of simulated seasons land in this range of wins.
- 34–54
- Minutes backShare of last season’s team minutes played by players still on this roster. Retained injured players count; new arrivals don’t.
- 69%
Range of outcomesEvery simulated season for this team. The bright middle is where 80% of seasons land; the dot is the projection.
Middle 80% of simulated seasons: 34 to 54 wins. Worst 5% average 27 wins; best 5% average 59 wins.
- Worst 5%Average wins in the unluckiest 5% of simulated seasons.
- 27
- Middle 80%The middle 80% of simulated seasons land in this range of wins.
- 34–54
- Best 5%Average wins in the luckiest 5% of simulated seasons.
- 59
Biggest swing playersPlayers whose uncertain performance or availability moves this team’s strength the most.: Donovan Mitchell, Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley.
Postseason chances
- 69%PlayoffsChance to reach the 16-team playoffs, directly or through the simulated play-in.
- 52%Top 6Chance to finish first through sixth in the conference: an automatic playoff spot.
- 30%Play-inChance to finish seventh through tenth and enter the play-in, whether or not the team advances.
- 5%No. 1 seedChance to finish first in the conference in the regular season.
Team profileScores run 1–100 across the 30 teams, keeping the real gaps between them. Not a percentile. The tick marks the league average.
1–100 scale
- SpacingThree-point threat: projected threes made per 100 possessions, weighted by each player’s estimated minutes.
- ReboundingShare of missed shots this rotation should grab, from players’ own rebounding and how teams rebound with them on court.
- Rim defenseRim protection from shot-contest data and how often opponents reach the rim with each player on the court.
- CreationHow much scoring and playmaking the rotation carries: shots, free-throw trips and assists per 100 possessions. More is not automatically better.
- Age riskWins this team could lose in a bad year for its older players (the worst 10% of cases). A what-if, not a prediction. 10th-most of 30 teams.: −2.4 wins in a bad year for the veterans
Projected rotation
| PlayerTap a row for a quick look. The name opens his full page. | ImpactHow many points per 100 possessions he adds compared with an average player. 0 is average. | Est. minutesEstimated regular-season minutes, allowing for health, role and competition for playing time. |
|---|---|---|
| Donovan MitchellG · 30.0Low error barsA narrower Impact range than most, backed by a large recent NBA sample at a prime age. | +3.51 | 2,149 |
| James HardenG · 37.1 | +0.96 | 2,134 |
| Evan MobleyC · 25.3Low error barsA narrower Impact range than most, backed by a large recent NBA sample at a prime age. | +1.68 | 2,048 |
| Peyton WatsonG · 24.0 | −1.11 | 2,026 |
| Jarrett AllenC · 28.4 | +2.89 | 1,850 |
| Jaylon TysonG-F · 23.8 | −0.47 | 1,807 |
| Sam MerrillG · 30.4 | +0.02 | 1,774 |
| Craig Porter Jr.G · 26.6 | −1.85 | 1,296 |
| Nae'Qwan TomlinF · 25.8 | −0.81 | 1,059 |
| Mario HezonjaF-G · 31.6 | −3.19 | 1,020 |
Projected East
SeedProjected conference finish by projected wins. Seeds 1–6 make the playoffs; 7–10 go to the play-in.TeamClick a team to open its full outlook: odds, range of outcomes, team profile and rotation.WinsProjected regular-season wins, adding up each game’s win chance across the full 82-game schedule.PlayoffsChance to reach the 16-team playoffs, directly or through the simulated play-in.
- 1
Celtics56.8±6.798% - 2
Raptors47.2±7.581% - 3
Pistons45.8±7.577% - 4
Knicks45.6±7.576% - 5Cavaliers44.0±7.869%
- 6
76ers42.9±7.663% - Play-in · seeds 7–10
- 7
Magic42.5±8.162% - 8
Hawks42.1±7.460% - 9
Heat41.2±7.656% - 10
Pacers41.0±7.655% - Outside the play-in
- 11
Hornets40.2±7.551% - 12
Bulls34.4±7.925% - 13
Bucks30.1±7.611% - 14
Wizards29.8±7.210% - 15
Nets29.1±7.07%
Season context
- ScheduleWins gained or lost from this team’s schedule versus a balanced one. Positive means an easier schedule.
- +0.2 wins7th-easiest
- Rotation ageAverage age of the rotation, weighted by estimated minutes. Players expected to play more count more.
- 28.0Weighted by minutes