Cleveland, OH
Cavaliers obvious draft day win is the opposite move anyone expects
The next step towards a true NBA Finals run is perplexing, to say the least, for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Even though the Cavs reached the Eastern Conference Finals, they finished the 2026 Playoffs with an 8-10 record, which is the worst possible record for any team to have at that stage of the postseason.
Entering the offseason, chatter is centered around Cleveland either cashing in everything for a 2027 run or tearing down the core to enter a rebuild. Ultimately, the Cavs are incapable of the latter with depleted draft capital and few young players left on the roster. Staying the course and taking steps towards a more well-rounded roster is the only option available to the Cleveland basketball club.
The NBA Draft offers the Cavaliers the best opportunity to do so, finding young talent on team-friendly contracts. Currently, however, the Cavs’ draft capital is minimal at best with no control over their first-round picks until 2030 and no second-round draft picks for the foreseeable future.
Last summer, the Cavaliers entered the new second apron of the luxury tax, a new, highly restrictive tier for the highest-paying franchises. Cleveland was the only team to enter the apron last summer and not find a way out. As the league’s most expensive team, the Cavaliers must discover routes to add talent and manipulate their cap space.
Sitting at 29th overall this year, Cleveland needs navigate the draft with more in mind than the best talent on the board after 28 picks. To win the draft this year, the Cavs must make an unorthodox, unexpected move.
The Cavaliers need to trade away their draft pick
Many of the best talent expected to be available in the late first round has opted to return to college, selecting the NIL path over an immediate rise to the pros. Names like Tounde Yessoufou, Amari Allen and Tyler Tanner are out of the draft and unavailable for the Cavaliers.
For a team looking for any opportunity to improve financial flexibility, the Cavaliers should be wary of selecting in the first round at all with so much talent leaving the draft entirely. This year, a first-year player selected at pick 29 will be guaranteed a salary of $3,018,240. With so many prospects avoiding the draft, the talent available for the Cavaliers will be more akin to a typical second-rounder, making that $3 million price tag impractical.
Cleveland saw success last season in the second round, grabbing Tyrese Proctor and signing him to a multi-year standard contract. While a standard deal is rare for a second-round prospect to receive immediately, the Cavs did so to add a young, promising rookie on a cost-controlled contract.
Second-round players are not guaranteed any salaries or a main roster spot. Often, players in the second round enter a two-way deal. As of pick 31 and beyond, the Cavaliers would have better financial control for the young talent.
If the Cavs place their pick on the trade market, they could fall back into the early second round and accumulate another two second-round picks for the future in order to replicate their Proctor gamble. While players like Allen and Yessoufou are off the table, plenty of other talents will still be on the board in the early second round for the Cavaliers to target.
The San Antonio Spurs (42 and 44), Sacramento Kings (34 and 45) and Brooklyn Nets (33 and 43) have multiple second-round picks this year, which would make a trade with the Cavs to move into the first round a great deal on both sides.
Entering next season with another affordable rookie and future second-round picks is an invaluable win for a team with such an inflated salary sheet. The Cleveland Cavaliers are not likely to remain in the second apron longer than team owner Dan Gilbert deems necessary, and finding creative paths to financial freedom will be paramount to stay competitive within the confines of the new luxury tax system.
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Cleveland, OH
ADA TAYLOR Obituary – Middleburg Heights, OH (1947-2026)
ADA I. TAYLOR
OBITUARY
(nee Everhardt), of Middleburg Heights, formerly of Avon Lake, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 3, 2026 at Royal Oak Hospice after a short illness. Ada was born December 30, 1947 in Philadelphia, PA. Beloved wife of the late Terry R. Taylor (2012); loving mother of Elliot E. Taylor; loving ‘pet mom’ of Molly and Kitty; daughter of the late Pendleton B. and Inez (nee Chestnut) Everhardt; sister of the late Joyce Everhardt. Ada was a well-known and respected Real Estate Agent/Broker for 51 years in the Greater Cleveland area. 39 of those years were spent at Howard Hanna. She graduated from West Tech High School and then earned her Bachelor’s degree in education from BGSU before going full time in Real Estate. Ada was an Honors English, History and Journalism teacher at Lorain High School from 1971 ‘ 1975. Also, for a short time in the 80’s she was a lobbyist in Washington, DC for independent business owners. Ada is survived by her son Elliott E. Taylor and cousins David Dieball (Marilyn), Allan Dieball Benjamin Dieball and Donna Bednar (Michael). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to City Dogs Cleveland, 9203 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, OH 44102. A private Graveside Service will be held at St. Joseph/Elmhurst Cemetery in Avon. Arrangements made by Ripepi Funeral Home (440)888-0800
Cleveland, OH
PAUL ANTHONY FORTUNATO Obituary – Cleveland, OH (1941-2026)
PAUL ANTHONY FORTUNATO
OBITUARY
age 85, beloved husband for 64 years of Gayle (nee Rocco); loving and proud father of Paul Jr. (wife Sarah), Gregory (wife Kimberly), and Jeffrey (wife Melissa); devoted Papa of Michelle, Paul III, Julia, Joseph, Taylor, Charis, Lily, Charlotte, Sophia, and Layla; cherished son of the late Joseph and Michelina (nee Giurbino) Fortunato; brother of Ross and the late Frank and Joseph Fortunato; treasured brother-in-law of Kenneth Rocco; dear uncle, great-uncle, godfather, friend, and role model to many; preceded in death by his canine companions, Pepper and Casper. Paul was born on January 6, 1941, in Cleveland, Ohio. Raised in the Catholic faith, Paul was a parishioner of St. Gabriel Church for more than 50 years. He grew up near East 110th Street and Woodland Avenue and was a 1960 graduate of John Adams High School. Following his graduation, and like each of his three brothers, he served in the U.S Navy, attaining the rank of Hospital Corpsman Third Class. As a youth in the 1950s, he worked at the neighborhood grocery store and as a paperboy delivering The Cleveland Press. As a young husband in the 1960s, he began a career of more than 30 years with The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company. During his career, Paul worked in a downtown Cleveland laboratory, where he tested and calibrated instruments; at the Eastlake Power Plant; and ultimately at the Perry Nuclear Power Plant, where he served as a Contract Administrator. Outside of work, Paul found joy in building dollhouses and rocking horses for his grandchildren and in crafting furniture for his family. Most importantly, Paul’s proudest accomplishment was being a loving and devoted husband, and a loving and proud Dad and Papa to his three sons and ten grandchildren. Proud of his Sicilian and Italian roots, he was a long-time member of the Americans of Italian Heritage. In addition, although not a formal club, his neighborhood group of friends was a central part of his social life, and you could find Paul, without fail, with the same crew at Panera’s every Tuesday and Saturday morning. Paul’s calling card was his work ethic, meticulous attention to detail, honesty, integrity, and unwavering loyalty to family and friends. Without question, the center of his life and his greatest joy was his family, especially the love of his life, Gayle. These qualities defined the man he was, the way he lived, and the legacy he leaves for all who knew and loved him. Paul will be dearly missed by many. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in memory of Paul to the Lake County Humane Society. Family and friends are requested to meet for the Mass of Christian Burial Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at St. Gabriel Catholic Church 9925 Johnnycake Ridge Rd, Concord, OH 44077 at 11 AM. Cremation following by DeJohn Crematory. Private Burial Thursday, July 23, 2026, at All Souls Cemetery. Family will receive friends to pay tribute to and celebrate the life of Paul at THE DeJOHN-FLYNN-MYLOTT FUNERAL HOME OF WILLOUGHBY HILLS, 28890 CHARDON ROAD (between Bishop Rd. and Rt. 91) TUESDAY, July 21, 2026, 3-6 PM. Online obituary, guestbook, & order flowers at www.DeJohnCares.com
Cleveland, OH
Wanted sex offender arrested at home where Tennessee woman’s body found
CLEVELAND — The U.S. Marshals arrested a man at the same home where a Tennessee woman’s body was found last week.
According to authorities, 44-year-old Matthew Hensley was spotted by Marshals while hiding in a cabinet near a window at the home on Bosworth Road.
“They pulled him out of there, and I said, ‘Oh my god, that’s him, that’s him, that’s him,’” neighbor Sol Galarza said.
A passerby captured Hensley’s arrest on his cell phone. The video shows Hensley barefoot and barely dressed, walking arm-in-arm with SWAT officers.
The Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department wanted Hensley for failing to register his address after a conviction of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.
He also had additional charges of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor from an indictment in 2022.
“He was wanted for failure to register and also having unlawful contact with a minor, so the sooner we get him off the streets, the better,” U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott said.
Authorities spent months searching for him. After receiving many tips, Marshals staked out the house Thursday night and went in Friday morning.
“One of our investigators felt it in his heart that he probably had a hidden space within that house, and sure enough, when we hit that spot today, he was hiding behind this wall,” Elliott said.
Last week, Cleveland police found a woman’s body in the backyard of the same house. Hensley has not been charged in connection with her death.
Tennessee woman who went missing with young daughter found dead in Cleveland
Xbox. A girl at a fire station. A body in a yard. Investigators search for clues about woman’s fatal journey.
The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s office identified the woman as 37-year-old Amber Graham.
Graham’s 8-year-old daughter turned up at a Cleveland firehouse and is safe with Child Protective Services.
Police in Spring Hill, Tennessee, which is just south of Nashville, have been looking for Graham since last week.
Cleveland police call records show reports that the girl’s mom, Amber Graham, was being held by Matthew Hensley.
“I seen her walking to the store, I think that’s when she first came, I seen the truck the out-of-state plates,” Robert Bercar said.
Bercar lives next door to the house where Graham’s body was found.
“Until they can figure out what happened to the woman from Tennessee, right, I think that’s the best place,” Bercar said.
Cleveland Police have not released any further details and are awaiting the medical examiner’s ruling before determining whether this is a criminal case.
Hensley is in the Cuyahoga County jail.
News 5 has yet to learn how Graham died and how her daughter ended up at a fire station.
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