September 4, 2026 • 6:02 PM EDT
Updated 2 hours ago
If you think Cleveland Cavaliers fans are playing it safe with their expectations, think again. Nearly 60% of Cavs fans polled are banking on not just one, but two Cavaliers gracing the NBA All-Star Game this season. That sort of belief says a lot, especially for a franchise that spent a few years searching for identity after the LeBron era.
This optimism isn’t just noise — it’s a reflection of the talent stacked on the Cavs roster. Donovan Mitchell has been a consistent All-Star every year since he moved to Cleveland, so you can pretty much ink him in already. The bigger question, and what really fuels the excitement, is who joins him. According to Yahoo Sports, fans are split between rising star Evan Mobley, seasoned veteran James Harden, and big man Jarrett Allen as likely All-Star companions for Mitchell this year.
Diving a bit deeper into the survey, nearly 21% of fans went even further, picking three or more Cavs to make the All-Star cut. That’s some sky-high optimism, but it speaks to just how much faith this city has in their squad right now. Only a tiny 2% of voters said Cleveland would be completely shut out of the All-Star event — and let’s be real, if the Cavs end up with zero reps, something has gone spectacularly wrong.
For context, this wouldn’t be uncharted territory for Cleveland. The team managed to send multiple players to the All-Star Game twice already this decade: Jarrett Allen and Darius Garland made it in 2021, while last season, Mitchell was joined by Garland and Mobley. So the fan confidence isn’t wishful thinking; it’s backed up by recent history.
Who Could Join Mitchell as a Cavs All-Star?
Let’s talk favorites. Most fans see Mitchell as a lock, but it’s the supporting cast that’s got everyone speculating.
- Evan Mobley: If anyone is trending up, it’s Mobley. He looked like an All-Star for the second half of last season and his elite defense paired with evolving offense makes him Mitchell’s top competition for the honor.
- James Harden: Harden could glide in on reputation. With 11 All-Star nods already, he’s a familiar name on ballots, and voters tend to reward consistency and past stardom if he’s producing at even a decent clip.
- Jarrett Allen & others: Allen’s road is trickier and probably hinges on staying healthy and showing up when others can’t. There was even a fan-vote for Sam Merrill as the ultimate wild card, but that’s more likely wishful thinking than reality.
Mobley’s case is especially strong if he can keep up his health and confidence. This is a guy whose defensive abilities force opposing coaches to rewrite scouting reports. Harden, meanwhile, might not have to work quite as hard; his legacy and star power do some of the talking for him.
What Multiple All-Stars Could Mean for Cleveland
The more All-Stars you have, the better your odds at winning deep into spring. That is not just hype — having multiple All-Stars draws more attention, increases confidence, and usually signals a roster built for legitimate playoff runs. With sportsbooks like FanDuel already listing Cleveland as eighth in title odds, adding another All-Star or two would only heat up their championship talk even more.
Key developments
- Nearly 60% of Cavs fans expect two All-Stars from their team this year
- 21% are even more confident, predicting three or more Cavs get picked
- Fans see Donovan Mitchell as a guaranteed All-Star pick
- Evan Mobley is widely considered Mitchell’s top running mate
- James Harden’s resume keeps him in strong contention
- Recent seasons saw multiple Cavaliers make the All-Star Game
- Current title odds for Cleveland could improve with more All-Star nods
Key takeaways for bettors
- The Cavs core of Mitchell, Mobley, and Harden gives real value for player futures markets
- Watch Mobley early in the season — his All-Star case could skyrocket if his offense picks up
- If Harden remains healthy and productive, media and fans will push him for another All-Star
- Fan sentiment and recent history suggest betting on multiple Cavs All-Stars isn’t a long shot
- Cleveland’s playoff and title odds improve significantly if two or more players make the All-Star cut
- Keep an eye on unexpected names. If Allen or another role player starts hot, odds could swing
More coverage: latest NBA news, our NBA betting analysis and NBA expert picks.
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