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The defending-champion Celtics have taken heat around NBA circles after losing two home games and falling behind, 2–0, to the Knicks in the Eastern Conference semifinals. It doesn’t help that Boston, the championship favorite entering this season, is projected to have the most-expensive payroll in NBA history next year.
However, on the other side of the bracket, the Cavaliers are facing a similar situation after losing twice to the Pacers at home. Like the Celtics, Cleveland also blew a 20-point lead in Game 2 and lost in heartbreaking fashion after a go-ahead three from Tyrese Haliburton.
Looking ahead to next season, the Cavaliers already have $217.8 million on the books—third in the NBA behind the Celtics and Suns, according to Basketball Reference. That number will likely rise as it reflects only the 11 players currently under contract for next year. The league roster minimum is 14.
The Cavaliers had the league’s 16th-highest payroll this year, but max extensions for Donovan Mitchell (three years, $150.3 million) and Evan Mobley (five years, $224 million) will hit their books next season. In the 2026–2027 season, Cleveland is already locked in for a league-leading $230.6 million in contracts. Barring any major changes, the Cavaliers will be repeat luxury-tax offenders and also be penalized for passing the second-apron threshold.
A second-round loss this year would be a disappointing exit for a team that won 64 regular-season games en route to the No. 1 seed in the East. The positive for Cleveland is that their roster is relatively young—none of the players currently under contract for next season have hit the age of 30. But the limited flexibility begs the question of whether the Cavaliers need to shake up their roster, especially as injuries have plagued their playoff run once again.
All-Star guard Darius Garland has not played since Game 2 of Cleveland’s opening-round series against the Heat due to a toe injury, and he is listed as out for Game 3 on Friday against Indiana. Garland had a down year last season after missing 25 games mostly due to injury. His return to form this year, alongside the addition of head coach Kenny Atkinson, has been credited for the Cavaliers’ strong season.
The team has also relied on Sixth Man of the Year finalist Ty Jerome—but he will be a free agent this year and likely command a larger contract.
This postseason run is far from over for the Cavaliers, especially considering that comebacks have been the theme of the playoffs. But questions certainly loom over the team’s future if this year’s end result is a second consecutive semifinals exit.
