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The Cleveland Browns have one of the most intriguing quarterback rooms in the NFL at the moment, making for an interesting position battle that will last all summer. While NFL training camp is still a few months away, it appears the Browns have an early leader in the quarterback competition.

during an appearance on sports center This weekend, ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler reported that Deshaun Watson has “hit it out” with Browns head coach Todd Monken and some around the league believe he could win the starting job.

“He’s already been a factor on the practice field. I’m told he’s worked with Todd Monken, who has an offensive concept, some elements that Watson has run in the past and has gotten the best of them…Talking to people around the league, he believes Watson can ultimately earn this job.”

Jeremy Fowler on Deshaun Watson and the Cleveland Browns QB competition

Watson, who turns 31 in September, last played in the regular season on Oct. 20, 2024. He has recovered from two Achilles tears and it appears his NFL career is in danger of being over by 2025.

This set the stage for Shadure Sanders, who was viewed as the early favorite to be named the Browns’ starting quarterback in 2026. Although he did not play well in his rookie season, posting an 18.9 ESPN QBR with a 7-10 TD-INT line, there was optimism he would improve with a revamped supporting cast in Cleveland.

However, Fowler’s reporting supports what Browns reporter Mary Kay Cabot has said in recent weeks. In late April, she wrote for Cleveland.com that Watson had the “inside track” to winning the contest.

Regardless of who is named the Browns’ starting quarterback for Week 1, we’ll likely see both Watson and Sanders on the field in 2026. Given how both of them have performed in Cleveland, there’s also a real possibility that Dillon Gabriel will get some opportunities this fall.

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

Even if Deshaun Watson has a big bounceback season in 2026, a top NFL insider claims there is no chance the Cleveland Browns will try to re-sign him.

Frustratingly for Browns fans, it is very likely that Watson will be the team’s starting quarterback this season. This thought sends a shiver down the spine of Cleveland supporters as the three-time Pro Bowl has been a complete disaster for the franchise.

After arriving in 2022 with a fully guaranteed contract worth $230 million, Watson has played only 19 games and missed all of the 2025 season recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon a year ago. Still, when he played, he looked like a shell of the player fans had seen with the Houston Texans. Posting a 9-10 record as a starter and 19 touchdowns to 12 interceptions.

Despite a horrific sexual assault scandal, the Browns took a huge risk by trading for Watson. The risk didn’t pay off and actually backfired on him because his contract was a prop on his payroll and not tradable.

Browns unlikely to re-sign Deshaun Watson after bounce back season

Still, due to Cleveland’s weak QB room, Watson has a strong chance to be new head coach Todd Monken’s choice to be his Week 1 starter. While it’s not expected, it’s not impossible that Watson will have a great season in 2026. He is still only 30 years old, and the team’s new system could help him recapture his Pro Bowl form.

So, does this mean the Browns could re-sign Deshaun Watson if he performs well next season? Not a chance, claims ESPN’s Dan Graziano.

Rest easy, Browns fans. 2026 may be a big year for Deshaun Watson, but it will be his last year in Cleveland.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

Claiming the sixth and 24th overall selections in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns are in an advantageous position on April 23. They are one of five teams with two first-round selections. Still, even after Day 1, the Browns still have a chance to add some potential starters, as they also have the 39th, 70th, and 107th overall picks, for a total of nine picks.

Browns general manager Andrew Berry will have plenty of opportunities to address Cleveland’s biggest needs. But some weaknesses are more glaring than others, and the Browns are expected to address them soon.

According to NFL insider Tony Pauline of Essential Sports, “AB wants a quicker O-line and has been telling people that since last season.”

Several offensive tackle prospects are projected to be selected in the first round, and with so many top pass-rushers available at the top, the Browns are expected to be the first team to select a lineman. That means they’ll have to take first look at the top offensive lineman on their draft board, whether it’s someone like Fano or Francis Mauigoa, or another prospect that Cleveland feels can handle at left tackle, remains to be seen.

Pauline’s sources say the Browns also will not trade All-Pro pass-rusher Myles Garrett this offseason. With Garrett under contract through 2029, there is no incentive for Cleveland to part with a “generational talent” who has broken the NFL’s single-season sack record.

RELATED: 2026 NFL mock draft: Trades that captured the first round of the NFL draft

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Is this the offseason that the Cleveland Browns finally trade Myles Garrett? Those Garrett rumors resurface every year. After all, he’s one of the best players in the NFL, yet Garrett’s Browns have only reached the playoffs twice in his nine-year career. He deserves better.

The Browns recently restructured his contract, which, for some reason, has led to speculation that Cleveland is thinking about trading him again. While that’s not the case, the Browns did this simply to create more cap space, it got people thinking.

Recently, two NFL analysts Sports IllustratedConnor Orr and Albert Breer lay out their case for why the Browns would be better off trading the five-time All-Pro defender.

This isn’t the first time Breyer has advocated for the Browns to trade their best player. He also previously advised them to trade Garrett at last year’s trade deadline. Obviously, Brown disagreed.

Garrett, 30, is coming off a record-breaking season with 23 sacks. Despite his great age, one could argue that his value has never been higher. If the Raiders can get two first-round picks for Maxx Crosby, what could the Browns get for an even better player?

While most needy teams have already committed to other pass-rushers, there is always at least one that doesn’t end up being their desired draft target. In other words, perhaps the Garrett trade will be revisited later, but our guess is the Browns have already moved on from those discussions.

RELATED: Cleveland Browns trade idea nets young Pro Bowl receiver

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The Cleveland Browns are in the midst of an organizational overhaul. They have already moved on from two-time NFL Coach of the Year Kevin Stefanski and hired Todd Monken to replace him. Despite having three QBs on the roster, the Browns also do not have a franchise quarterback.

Still, to properly evaluate Cleveland’s quarterback situation, they may want to strengthen the foundation around him. Whether it’s offensive line, pass-catcher, or both, Brown has a lot of unproven upside. They also have two first-round picks, one or possibly two of which could be used at respective positions.

However, recently, Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski had another idea. Why not try to trade for a proven talent who is already an NFL veteran? He suggests that the Browns trade wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. to the Jaguars.

While trading for Thomas, a one-time Pro Bowler who is still only 23 years old, might seem like an ideal solution in Cleveland, there is no guarantee Jacksonville wants to trade him. In fact, more reports suggest that the 23rd overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft isn’t actually even available.

Thomas started 14 games last season, recording 707 receiving yards and two touchdowns. A year ago, Thomas started all 17 games while recording 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns. If he can get back to that level of production, Thomas could emerge as Cleveland’s new alpha receiver, forming a strong tandem with Jerry Jeudy.

RELATED: 2026 NFL Mock Draft: End of March edition

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Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson provided an update on Jarrett Allen’s status on Tuesday, indicating significant progress ahead of the Wine and Gold’s meeting with the Orlando Magic for a three-game homestand.

“They’ve ramped it up over the last few days, so there’s a positive trend,” Atkinson said. “I saw him on the court yesterday, contact. I think we’re in the last stages of preparing him, so I can guess [he’ll return within] The next few games, that window.”

Allen returning to the fold would be a welcome sight for the Cavs, who have missed James Harden with his rim protection and pick-and-roll skills. He missed the last game and will not be in action against the Magic due to right knee tendinitis. Cleveland’s veteran big man suffered the injury early in the second half of the Detroit Pistons game on March 3 and has not played since.

If Atkinson’s optimism proves justified, we’ll see Allen this week.

Cavs receive another important injury update

Elsewhere on the injury front, Atkinson shared the latest news on Jaylon Tyson, who hasn’t played since the fourth quarter of the Cavs’ win over the Chicago Bulls last Thursday. The second-year swingman suffered a sprained left toe and what is now being treated as a bone bruise.

“Not long-term,” Atkinson said of the label change. “He practiced yesterday, and it was bothering him, quite honestly, so we took him out of practice. It’s an injury; definitely not long-term. I can see it being very short-term. It’s going to be a pain to bear. I hope he recovers very quickly.”

Tyson has been a big part of the Cavs’ rotation recently despite his minutes being cut back, so this is solid news regarding his troublesome toe. However, it doesn’t help their case in the current battle for more minutes, as Cleveland tries to figure out who will play the most minutes and who will be in the starting five.

The Cleveland Cavaliers announced Monday night that Jarrett Allen will miss the team’s upcoming three-game road trip due to knee tendinitis, extending his absence to 18 days since the injury. The Cavs are 2-3 without February’s Eastern Conference Player of the Month in their lineup, and there is reason to be uncomfortable. The setback is believed to be minor, but it would have been at least two weeks since Allen last suited up.

“I still think it’s a day-to-day thing,” Cleveland head coach Kenny Atkinson said Sunday afternoon. “That’s where we are with it. I wish I could get more specifics. But I don’t expect it to be long-term. He’s just dealing with some serious tendinitis, and sometimes that happens during the season, right?

“Especially after his stretch and his usage. So I’m thinking it’ll just be a short break, and we’ll get him back in the team soon.”

In two of the Cavs’ last three games, they have given up 128 and 130 points to the Orlando Magic and Dallas Mavericks. The first player shot 51.8% from the field with 37 attempts at the free-throw line, and the second shot 52.9% from the field with 27 attempts at the charity stripe, which is a sign of a bad habit.

Much of the problem can be blamed on a defense that is not consistently protecting the perimeter, with Allen lacking a key rim protector. Combine those two factors, and it’s difficult to keep opponents in check.

Cavs All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell said after a “bad loss” to the Mavs about the need to improve on defense, “Especially now that we don’t have JA in there, sometimes, we’re five short.” “[We have to be better at] To be able to defend, and if we lose, [making] [right] Rotating, and then, keeping them away from the glass. Although we sometimes play small ball, that is no excuse. I think this is the biggest thing. I think our defense was the only issue.

Cavs defense needs improvement

After losing a game against the Orlando Magic last week, James Harden had a similar message: Cleveland needs to be better on that side of the field.

“Communication, knowing who we’re protecting,” Harden said. “The matchup changed possession-by-possession. This team did a really good job, and they do it every game, of putting the ball in the paint, and we didn’t have any resistance. [The Magic] Shot an incredible percentage at the basket, and got to the line multiple times. Something we can fix, something we can control.”

“I think early on, we let them get to the rim too easily,” Keon Ellis said. “They’re a rim team, so I think that’s how they’ve got to roll at first… Maybe if it’s going to be close in a short period of time, they have to think about shooting it to try to slow it down. It’s probably at first because they want to get to the rim, so they’ll drive and drive and drive. Try to get them live from the outside.”

According to the star duo, this Cavs group has too much talent to worry about putting the ball in buckets.

Harden said, “Offensively, we’re very talented. Defensively we need to get better.” “We can score with the best of them. It’s important to get consistent stops and rely on our defense to win games.”

“I mean, I’m not really worried about the offensive piece,” Mitchell said. “We had 16 turnovers for 25 points; it affects your transition defense. You can’t get set even when we have Evan [Mobley] At 5. But I think the biggest thing is just stopping the ball and then staying in our rotation. It’s just the finer details, and we have to get better.”

Mobley has had success when Allen has been absent, but he has also been able to rely on perimeter players generally holding their own. Mitchell specifically pointed this out on Sunday, but Cleveland hasn’t been able to put anyone up front for a week. This results in overhelp, which takes teammates out of their spots and ultimately allows opponents to touch the paint.

From there, they are either scoring, getting to the free throw line, or kicking out to shoot or initiate a swing-swing sequence. The Cavs start scrambling, and then it becomes a world of hurt.

“You can look at my postgame comments against Orlando, OK? Very, very similar,” Atkinson said. “I think it’s a very similar game. Much more generous on the defensive end. And I just told guys, it starts with that first unit. Not very good defensively. They never felt us out. They got comfortable. They got confidence, and then, it’s the same kind of story, right? We’ve got really good defenders in that lineup, so an unforgivable defensive effort today.

“Give credit to Dallas. I just thought their energy level was higher. But, when your energy level isn’t there — sometimes you have games where it’s not there — now you have to use your kind of savvy and experience and be in the right position. You might not have a game where you’re super active, and that happens, but there were a lot of mental breakdowns.”

In addition to praising Max Strus for a great comeback effort and start to the season, Atkinson used his entire press conference to discuss the defense.

He himself also reflected on whether Cleveland should have switched groups from 1-to-5 as a challenge to prepare for the playoffs, because “we don’t normally do that.” But describing this effort as passable feels like a real red flag at the end of the season.

“We showed four or five clips where we’re not touching them,” Atkinson told ClutchPoints in the press room. “In a switching defense, you have to control the screener. You have to slow down the screener, right? You have to stay on the ball. We’re playing man-to-man, but it was like, we were in a zone because we were so different. And in the NBA, if teams are so comfortable, the shots are easier. They’re not worn out physically, so they’re fresher to make shots.”

Take care of basketball matters too.

“I’ll just say the last thing I knew the focus wasn’t there [there]I think we had 12 live-ball turnovers,” Atkinson said. “Some of those were differentials. Some of those were the lineup. Maybe I threw some in there by not shooting enough, so that was a big part of it too.

“Live-ball turnovers are death. I hope this doesn’t sound too harsh, but they are. If you have a live-ball turnover above the free-throw line, it’s probably going to be a layup. You can’t prevent it.”

Cavs have been banged up again, but depth needs to shine defensively

It should be noted that Sam Merrill has missed the last two games with a hamstring injury, and Jaylon Tyson injured his ankle last Friday in Dallas. They are key pieces of the perimeter.

However, Ellis is known for his ball pressure and technique, and Dean Wade is a top defender with his versatility, so the Cavs should be outmatched very easily.

Mitchell and Harden have the right message, but they need to hold up their end of the bargain in this case too.

At times, Cleveland’s wings behave a little more loosely due to the frontcourt threats behind them. And although this defensive drop off over Allen’s absence from the lineup may be a bit much for one player, it undoubtedly underlines his importance to the team.

The NBA on Tuesday officially named Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson the Eastern Conference Coach of the Month for February, marking the third time in his career that he has won the award and the first time he has earned the honor this season. Atkinson is only the third coach in Cavs franchise history to accomplish the feat, joining Mike Brown and the late, great Lenny Wilkens.

Cleveland went 8-3 last month with a league-leading scoring average of 120.9 points per game and the top field-goal percentage (49.8%). He also averaged the third-most assists per contest (28.9).

This coincided with the incredible dominance of Jarrett Allen and the trade deadline acquisitions of James Harden, Keon Ellis and Dennis Schroder.

“Bringing in James has given us new confidence, if that means anything,” Atkinson said. “We understand we’re a better team and that feeling, that confidence, for some strange reason forces you to play more and compete harder and compete harder defensively, and I felt like we were losing that edge, that confidence. So I think we’re getting that back.”

Three of the team’s four lowest opponent-scoring totals were recorded in February against the New York Knicks (94) and Los Angeles Clippers (91), and the Wine and Gold held the Brooklyn Nets to a season-low 84 points at Rocket Arena.

Offensively, Cleveland scored at least 130 points three times last month, which tied for second in the East. Its average margin of victory was 10.9 points, which ranked third in the conference. Additionally, from February 1–20, the Cavs remained undefeated and had five consecutive road wins, despite the interruption of the All-Star break.

Atkinson won the NBA Coach of the Month award twice last year, with recognition for October/November 2024 and December 2024. To catch Brown’s leading total of five with the Cavs, he will have to win it twice more.

San Antonio Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson won the award for representing the Western Conference.

The Cavs have already had a solid start to March despite nagging injuries throughout the campaign. They have earned the next four days off before welcoming the Boston Celtics to town on Sunday afternoon.

New Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken takes over a roster that already has three quarterbacks on the roster. Still, neither of them may be the team’s starter in 2026. Between Deshaun Watson, Shadure Sanders and Dillon Gabriel, could the Browns already have their franchise QB?

Monken made it clear during his press conference at the NFL Scouting Combine that the Browns want to give their quarterbacks a chance to unlock a new level of performance with his guidance. That includes Watson, who is entering the final year of a five-year, $230 million contract.

While Monken is impressed by the qualities of the three-time Pro Bowl QB, he called Sanders’ playmaking ability “elite” while speaking at the NFL Scouting Combine on Wednesday. Monken also left the door open for Sanders, a fifth-round pick in 2025, to become the team’s starting quarterback for the first week of the 2026 season.

Monken is “hopeful” the team’s QB situation will be sorted out by training camp, so the Browns’ starter can get all the first-team reps on offense.

Still, as curious as Monken is about the current QB room, he also acknowledged that the team will do its “due diligence” in evaluating others who could join the group this offseason. After drafting one in the third round last year and another in the fifth round, would the Browns really add another rookie?

In the meantime, would they also like another veteran? Watson is a seven-year pro, and both Gabriel and Sanders gained valuable starting experience last season. Unless they find a sure-fire starter who is obviously better than all three, the Browns will be better off rotating with their crew and hoping one of them can come out of the pack.

RELATED: Cleveland Browns’ Todd Monken excited to give Deshaun Watson a fresh start

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Four years ago, the Cleveland Browns “won” the Deshaun Watson sweepstakes by agreeing to a five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract with the three-time Pro Bowl quarterback. But before they could get him to sign on the dotted line, the Browns had to send three first-round picks, a third-round pick, and two fourth-round picks.

Those draft picks join DT Jordan Davis, RB Jahmir Gibbs, WR Brian Thomas, WR Jalin Hyatt, RB Damien Pierce and TE Cade Stover. It has been considered the worst trade in NFL history, which is tragic for the Browns franchise, who were already quite desperate to make such a bold move for someone they thought would be their franchise quarterback for years to come.

Still, Watson has been nothing. He has yet to start more than seven games in a season with the Browns, and has started only 19 games in three seasons in Cleveland. He has completed only 61.2% of his passes for 3,365 passing yards, 19 TDs, 12 interceptions, while leading the Browns to a 9-10 record in the process.

Now 30, Watson is in the final year of his contract, but has a cap hit of $80.7 million. Given how poorly he has played as a member of the Browns, while also considering his tremendous cap hit, some have wondered if the new coaching staff would have no interest in keeping Watson as part of the new-look QB room.

Still, according to first-year head coach Todd Monken, it couldn’t be further from the case. Rather, he seems excited for the opportunity to work with Watson, and possibly even help the QB regain his signature look from his days in a Texans uniform.

If there’s any glimmer of hope that the Browns can still get some positive production from Watson, it’s up to Monken to figure it out. If not, Watson will be a free agent at the end of the 2026 season, and then the Browns can finally move on from their biggest mistake ever. Or, maybe Watson proves everyone wrong and returns to Houston as an MVP candidate.

RELATED: Cleveland Browns hire 75-year-old former NFL head coach

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The Cleveland Browns have a new head coach, but there’s no guarantee Todd Monken will immediately get better results in his first season. Still, the Browns are taking steps to ensure Monken has experienced minds he can rely on throughout the season.

On Tuesday, ESPN’s NFL insider Jeremy Fowler reported that the Browns have hired 75-year-old Dom Capers to Monken’s staff. Capers will serve the team as a senior defensive assistant.

Capers has been the head coach for a total of eight seasons, split between the Carolina Panthers and Houston Texans. However, he also spent 16 seasons as an NFL defensive coordinator with the Packers, Steelers, Jaguars and Dolphins. His job as defensive coordinator moved to Green Bay in 2017.

His most recent work came with the Panthers, where he spent the last three seasons as a senior defensive assistant at Carolina. It’s the same job he’s been doing since 2019 between the Jaguars, Vikings, Lions, Broncos and Panthers. Now he’ll see if he can help Monken and defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg in 2026.

With a first-year head coach, offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator, the Browns will need help in some way or another next season, and now that plan includes Capers.

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Led by Myles Garrett and coordinated by Jim Schwartz, the Cleveland Browns have developed a reputation for effective defense. While Cleveland has not been able to post enough wins, their defense has helped keep the Browns in many games.

Only, now that Kevin Stefanski has been fired and Todd Monken has been hired, Schwartz will not return in 2026. Now, it turns out that not one of the Browns’ young Pro Bowl defenders is expected to return. In fact, he is not expected to ever play football again.

According to Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, Pro Bowl linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is “doubtful to return to the field of play.”

Koramoa’s neck injury occurred on October 27, 2024, against the Ravens, where he was involved in a brutal collision with 6-foot-2, 252-pound running back Derrick Henry. He was coming off a Pro Bowl year, but this injury ended his season after eight games. Koramoah, 26, has not played a snap since.

The Browns have already prepared for JOK’s absence by selecting Carson Schwesinger with the 33rd overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The 22-year-old linebacker earned Defensive Rookie of the Year honors after a stellar season in which he recorded 156 tackles, 2.5 sacks and two interceptions.

If this is the end of the road for Koramoah, he will have made $18.06 million over his four-year NFL career.

RELATED: Cleveland Browns become ‘preferred landing spot’ for dual-threat QB

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The Cleveland Cavaliers and their G League affiliate have been making moves left and right in February. On Friday, the Charge acquired Victor Oladipo in a trade with the Wisconsin Herd. The Cavs signed Darius Brown II to a two-way contract and waived Emmanuel Miller in a subsequent transaction.

Oladipo is averaging 14.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.8 steals in 26 games with the Milwaukee Bucks’ G League team this season. He shot 40.0% from the field on 12.7 attempts in just under 29 minutes a night. Despite the injury history, the longtime veteran is still showing signs of athleticism and scoring ability as well as defensive ability.

With a quick stint in China in early October, Oladipo faced NBA competition during the preseason. In three games with the Guangzhou Loong Lions, he scored 58 points and recorded eight steals. The 33-year-old last appeared in the league as part of the Miami Heat in late April 2023.

“I don’t believe in age, brother,” Victor Oladipo told ClutchPoints in an exclusive interview on Oct. 10. Enjoying the day, and the marathon, one at a time.

In a separate move, the Cavs reached a two-way deal with the Browns, waiving recently acquired Miller.

Brown has appeared in 34 games with the Charge, averaging 12.4 points, 9.7 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 2.2 steals in 33 minutes per contest with .437/.400/.825 shooting splits. A floor general for Cleveland, he broke the single-game franchise record with 22 assists, just one away from breaking the G League’s all-time record.

The 26-year-old Utah State alumnus has spent the past two summer leagues with the Cavs and was on the team’s training camp roster.

Miller appeared in six games for the Charge, starting two of them. He is coming off a 31-point effort against the Noblesville Boom, where he shot 13 of 20 from the field, pulled down four rebounds, and recorded two assists. The 25-year-old swingman also had two steals and two blocks in the Cleveland win.

The Cleveland Browns have had a busy offseason, moving on from Kevin Stefanski and hiring Todd Monken as their new head coach. Soon, they will focus on improving a roster that went just 5-12 this season.

But Brown is in the news Monday for reasons that are completely out of his control.

This time, it’s because Browns safety Ronnie Hickman was attacked by four men in Manhattan. The incident occurred just after 4:30 a.m. in the lobby of the Sixty Less Hotel on Allen Street in Manhattan

Investigators are still trying to determine whether Hickman was specifically targeted because of his profession as an NFL player, or whether the attackers also knew who he was.

Four men reportedly attacked Hickman, then fled the scene. Hickman was then taken to a nearby hospital in Bellevue, where he was reported to be in stable condition before later being released.

The Browns released a brief statement on the incident.

“Safety Ronny Hickman was the victim of an assault at a New York City hotel early Monday morning. Ronny was treated at an area hospital for minor injuries following the incident, was later released, and is resting at home with his family.”

Authorities have not disclosed whether they have made any arrests related to the attack on Hickman.

Hickman is coming off the best season of his career, where the former undrafted free agent signee started all 17 games. He recorded a career-high 103 tackles (1 TFL), seven pass deflections, and two interceptions.

He is set for restricted free agency this offseason, where he has set himself up to earn a big raise from the $1.04 million salary he is due in 2025.

RELATED: Cleveland Browns become ‘preferred landing spot’ for dual-threat QB

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Last Wednesday, the Cleveland Cavaliers saw three new faces make their home debuts at Rocket Arena. Seeing James Harden, Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis take the floor in front of a raucous, energetic crowd was a highly anticipated night. It was no surprise to Ellis, who had heard that day from a former Cleveland champion that he had been drafted into the organization. This wasn’t just someone loyal to the Cavs; It was fan favorite Matthew Dellavedova.

“Matthew, he was my guy when I was in Sacramento,” Ellis said after Wednesday’s blowout 138-113 win over the Washington Wizards. “He messaged me when I got traded. He said, ‘Yeah, you’ll love it. It’s definitely a sports town.’ So yeah, there was definitely good energy there tonight.”

Dellavedova, known as “Daly” in Northeast Ohio, played twice in Cleveland. Fans in the city were attracted to the scrappy, tough style of play the Australian point guard brought every night. His most memorable years came in his first stint with the team from 2013–16, the final season of which saw the Cavs defeat the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals after falling 3–1.

Earning a substantial payday in free agency, Dellavedova played for the Milwaukee Bucks for the next two and a half seasons. In need of experienced leadership, the struggling Cavs returned for him in December 2018. He stayed until 2021 before moving back home to play for Melbourne United in the NBL.

After one season there, Dellavedova last tried his hand in the NBA with the Sacramento Kings, where he faced rookie Ellis in the 2022-23 campaign.

Similar to Dellavedova, Ellis is an undrafted player who had to work hard in the league. He attended two years of junior college at Florida Southwestern, then spent his upper class years at Alabama. Although he thrived as a senior, NBA teams did not select him in 2022. The Kings gave him a chance with a two-way contract as a rookie, and in his second season as a professional he was traded to a standard deal in February 2024.

“I literally tried every way to not get it,” Ellis told ClutchPoints in his postgame presser. “So yeah, it’s crazy that I got here. That’s the only word I can really think of, so definitely blessed.”

“I just want to win. Like, everything else doesn’t really matter to me. As long as we win, that’s all that matters. When I was in college, our coach Nate Oats used to say, ‘When the tide rises, all boats rise.’ So I think that message is still stuck. When the team wins, everyone wins. So, I just go out there and try to play winning games. “I would say that’s what motivates me.”

Cleveland fans should immediately connect with Ellis’ game due to his defensive efforts and consistent pressure. It’s not too far from what the city’s most beloved Australian wine-and-golder brought to the table all those years ago.

Despite being on opposite sides of the world, the two have maintained their relationship since their days in Sacramento. Dellavedova is still going strong with the Sydney Kings, while Ellis is starting the second chapter of his career at the place where his friend became a folk hero.

It’s funny how small the basketball world can be, isn’t it?

The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed Riley Minnicks to a two-way contract, the team officially announced Saturday. He is the 18th and final member of the wine-and-gold roster, bolstering the Cavs’ forward depth as they continue their momentum in the G League.

Minix has played 12 games for the Cleveland Charge, averaging 19.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.3 steals in over 31 minutes per contest. He’s shooting a stellar 55.6% from the field, including a 45.7% clip from long range on nearly six attempts a night. The Cavs’ G League affiliate acquired Minix from the Austin Spurs on January 13 in a three-team trade with the Westchester Knicks. Cleveland gave up both 2027 first- and second-round selections in the deal.

Before coming to charge, the 25-year-old had spent the previous two and a half seasons with San Antonio’s organization. Starting his career undrafted out of Morehead State and spending the past four years in the NAIA Southeast, Minix’s performance at the 2024 NBA Summer League earned him an Exhibit 10 contract and an invitation to training camp. The Spurs changed his initial terms to a two-way contract which expired.

Minix appeared in just one NBA regular-season game for San Antonio in early November 2024. He had a solid campaign with Austin, but it was cut short due to a torn left labrum that required surgery. The 6-foot-7, 230-pound swingman returned for his second summer with the franchise and spent the preseason with the Spurs on a new two-way contract.

On November 2, against the Phoenix Suns, Minix scored a career-high 9 points on 4-of-6 shooting in four and a half minutes of floor time. He played 11 games during the Showcase Cup portion of the G League season before being called up by Cleveland to move on. He averaged 15.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists and one steal in over 33 minutes per game with Austin.

Minix joins Tristan Enaruna and Emmanuel Miller as the Cavs’ third two-way player. Since being acquired by the Charge, he has produced multiple 20-point outings, including a 27-point showing on 6-of-10 shooting from long range in a win over the Raptors 905 two nights ago.

His teammate Norchad Omier was named G League Player of the Week and will represent the team in the NBA G League Next Up game on Sunday. Heading into the final stretch of the season, things are looking good for Cleveland head coach Eli Klay-Abrams.

The Cleveland Browns continue reshaping their leadership structure following a difficult season that ended with a 5–12 record and a last-place finish in the AFC North, with their head coach search gaining urgency as new candidates emerge. The organization is scheduled to interview Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken on Saturday as part of its expanding process.

In an article published on the organization’s official website, the Browns’ Kelsey Russo confirmed the interview’s timing.

“The Browns are interviewing Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken on Saturday for the team’s head coach opening.”

Monken brings more than three decades of coaching experience, including 11 years at the NFL level, and is widely regarded for his offensive acumen. Cleveland requested and received permission earlier this week to speak with Monken amid Baltimore’s own coaching transition and uncertainty surrounding his future with the Ravens.

The Browns are seeking stability after dismissing Kevin Stefanski on January 5 following six seasons at the helm. Under Stefanski, Cleveland posted a 45–56 record with two playoff appearances, but recent struggles proved decisive, including a combined 8–26 mark over the final two seasons. Offensive inconsistency played a central role in the decision, positioning Monken’s resume as a potential catalyst for meaningful change.

Baltimore’s offense under the 59-year-old offensive coordinator ranked second in rushing yards per game during the 2025 season and previously led the league in red-zone touchdown percentage and passer rating. His familiarity with the organization also stands out. Monken served as Cleveland’s offensive coordinator during the 2019 season, overseeing career years from Nick Chubb and Baker Mayfield, though play-calling duties remained with then–head coach Freddie Kitchens.

Saturday’s interview marks the fifth completed meeting for the team during this hiring cycle. Cleveland has already spoken with Tommy Rees, Jim Schwartz, Dan Pitcher, and Aden Durde, as executive vice president of football operations Andrew Berry continues to oversee the search.

As the Browns weigh continuity against transformation, Monken’s interview represents a pivotal data point in determining whether the franchise commits to an offense-first reset or opts for internal familiarity moving forward.