The 2026 offseason additions for the Cleveland Cavaliers is expected to age like "cheap wine"

The 2026 NBA offseason saw the Cleveland Cavaliers extend Donovan Mitchell, re-sign James Harden, and acquire Peyton Watson from the Denver Nuggets. Three moves that, in total, will lock the Cavs into spending $445+ million over the next four years. The worst of these three deals goes to the best of the three, and that's Mitchell. His four-year deal is worth over $275 million, which will average out to over $68 million per year. A contract so bloated that it'll likely serve as its own no-trade clause.

Why would anyone want to give up 39% of your salary cap for one aging guard?

It's a real concern and one that ESPN notes as well in its new three-year outlook for all 30 NBA teams. When talking about the team's future from 2027 to 2029, ESPN's Ben Golliver didn't hold back, saying;

"This summer's spending spree will age like cheap wine. Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert displayed his full commitment to championship contention by writing huge checks to Mitchell, Harden and Watson. While Cleveland should factor into the 2027 and 2028 title conversations, a painful reckoning lurks in the distance once Mitchell's salary skyrockets and Harden's 40th birthday approaches."

The Cleveland Cavaliers window is as close to shut as possible now

The Cavs made moves they felt they needed to make. It's hard to say if Harden and Watson are worth their new salaries, but it wasn't like the Cavs had a lot of clear paths to future success without those men.

Sure, other moves could've happened, but it's impossible to say what those moves could've been. Re-signing Harden was logical, even if it wasn't exciting. While Harden did struggle in the playoffs, he looked pretty solid in the regular season for the Cavs.

Harden's age, his history as a playoff choker, and his long-term reliability with a team should concern fans. After all, with his history, he's not exactly too far away from asking for a trade at any given moment.

More: Cavaliers predicted to part ways with $109M All-Star after James Harden, Peyton Watson deals

For Watson, the concern is really about his growth. He was a bargain in 2025-2026, but now with a huge new contract, Watson has got to play even better than he did last season. If he doesn't, then the Cavs would've sunk a lot of money on a guy who can't live up to his new lofty expectations. 

Then there's Mitchell. Realistically, one of the best players in the league currently. He's a dynamic guard who relies on his athleticism as much as anyone. The concern about him is that if he ages poorly, then the Cavs will be stuck with a deal that will break the $70 million-a-year mark. After all, he's not a guy like Steph Curry or Kevin Durant, who have aged well due to their play style being about technique and form and not athleticism. 

If Mitchell falls off, even a little bit, then that deal will become truly insurmountable to get out of. That means the Cavs have very little room for error going forward. With how bloated the contracts are on this team, it's unlikely the team could make trades very easily. So if something horrible happens, then this team's three-year outlook could end up being far worse than expected.

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