Jarrett Allen Says Cavs 'Have Every Ability' to Be East's Top Team over Knicks, 76ers, Heat, More

After reaching the Eastern Conference Finals last season, center Jarrett Allen believes the Cleveland Cavaliers are capable of taking the next step.

Speaking to reporters Thursday, Allen said, "We have every ability to be the best team in the Eastern Conference."

Just two seasons ago, the Cavs did indeed have the best record in the Eastern Conference at 64-18, but they fell to the Indiana Pacers in the second round of the playoffs.

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Although the Cavaliers took a step backward during the 2025-26 regular season with a 52-30 record, which placed them fourth in the East, they enjoyed more playoff success.

Cleveland outlasted both the Toronto Raptors and Detroit Pistons in seven-game series to reach the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2018, which was LeBron James' last year with the team.

The Cavaliers were outclassed by the New York Knicks, though, as the Knicks swept them and then beat the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals.

Cleveland will have no shortage of top-level competition to contend with this coming season, and it starts with the Knicks, who are essentially returning the same roster that won it all last season.

The Philadelphia 76ers also figure to be much improved with the additions of James and Jaylen Brown to a core that already included Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid and VJ Edgecombe.

Other potential contenders include the Pistons, who had the best record in the Eastern Conference last season, the Boston Celtics led by Jayson Tatum and the Miami Heat, who acquired Giannis Antetokounmpo to play alongside Bam Adebayo.

The Cavs should have essentially the same lineup that took them to the ECF last season, made up of Allen, Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley and Jaylon Tyson.

They did make one significant move, though, in the form of acquiring Peyton Watson in a trade with the Denver Nuggets.

After averaging a career-high 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game last season, Watson could be a key addition that helps the Cavaliers challenge and beat the Eastern Conference's elite teams.