What happened: Cleveland Cavaliers general manager Koby Altman acknowledged a series of difficult offseason decisions ahead after the New York Knicks swept Cleveland out of the playoffs. Altman's midseason trade for James Harden was meant to push the Cavaliers back to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2018. Instead, the Knicks dominated the matchup and ended Cleveland's run early.

Why it matters: The early exit puts Cleveland's roster construction and the cost of the Harden trade under immediate scrutiny, and it complicates Harden's stated wish to keep the Cavaliers' core intact. A win-now gamble that fell short leaves Altman weighing contract and continuity questions with little margin.

What to watch: Watch how Altman handles James Harden's contract situation and the supporting cast as Cleveland's offseason plan takes shape.