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The Cavs will be tested early next season

By Quenton S. Albertie

TARRYTOWN, NY - AUGUST 12: Collin Sexton #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers poses for a portrait during the 2018 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot on August 12, 2018 at the Madison Square Garden Training Facility in Tarrytown, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
TARRYTOWN, NY - AUGUST 12: Collin Sexton #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers poses for a portrait during the 2018 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot on August 12, 2018 at the Madison Square Garden Training Facility in Tarrytown, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – JULY 20 – An employee at Real Sports Apparel inside Scotiabank Arena hangs up Kawhi Leonard basketball jerseys for sale to the public. Earlier, Toronto Raptors President Masai Ujiri talked to the media during a press conference about the DeMar DeRozan-Kawhi Leonard trade. July 20, 2018. Bernard Weil/Toronto Star (Bernard Weil/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – JULY 20 – An employee at Real Sports Apparel inside Scotiabank Arena hangs up Kawhi Leonard basketball jerseys for sale to the public. Earlier, Toronto Raptors President Masai Ujiri talked to the media during a press conference about the DeMar DeRozan-Kawhi Leonard trade. July 20, 2018. Bernard Weil/Toronto Star (Bernard Weil/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /

A changing of the guard

The Raptors have had a changing of the guard, trading away All-Star shooting guard DeMar Derozan and bringing in two-time Defensive Player of the Year, two-time All-Star and former Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard.

Furthermore, while the Raptors had trouble advancing in the postseason once they ran into LeBron James, they’ve been a talented defensive team for years. Replacing Derozan with a younger wing who is a better three-point shooter and defender will only make them better.

Rookie Collin Sexton will battle his first All-Star in Kyle Lowry and have an opportunity to bring his name out from the shadow of LeBron early. While Lowry will certainly make plays, Sexton will get the chance to show that his defensive potential can really help produce wins. Offensively, Sexton should be able to run laps around the Raptors’ 32-year-old veteran but he’ll need to show he can hold his own against Lowry, no matter how he does it.

More from Cavs Analysis

Though Leonard missed all but nine games last season, Cavs restricted free agent Rodney Hood (should he return) will face a major test when matched up against a player widely considered to be a top-five talent prior to his injury. Hood wants a top dollar contract and for that type money, he’ll have to prove he can hold his own against the game’s elite.

Cavs All-Star Kevin Love will get his first opportunity to shine as the leader of the new era, hopefully leading the team in points and rebounds (if not assists as well). Matched up against the Raptors, a team he tends to have stellar performances against, he and the team could build confidence early.

Because of how the postseason played out for fifth-year guard Jordan Clarkson, who struggled mightily on offense, the season opener will also be a major test for him. Though he played well throughout the regular season and has definitely found a fan in Cavs head coach Tyronn Lue, this season he’ll need to prove that he can help the offense with more than scoring.

Cedi Osman, expected to take a leap forward this season, will get to prove his worth as a perimeter defender and offensive playmaker as well. It’s possible he draws the defensive assignment against Leonard when they’re both on the court, especially if he starts.