Cleveland Cavaliers: Three potential lineups to watch next season
Potential lineup #2: LaMelo Ball-Sexton-Porter-Love-Drummond
LaMelo Ball, who last played with the NBL’s Illawarra Hawks, could be the most polarizing prospect in this upcoming class.
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Ball is a bigger guard at 6-foot-7 that can both attack the rim and hit shots from the outside, even though that wasn’t shown nearly compared to what he’s fully capable of as Ball shot just 37.7 percent from the field in NBL play, per NBL.com.au.
Drafting Ball and replacing Garland in the starting lineup is a risky move, but it could pay off as Ball could have a greater upside than Garland.
Sexton, who is an improved passer, is still developing in that area and could benefit from playing the off guard role where he could focus on scoring. Porter would also benefit from Ball’s playmaking and unselfish nature (Ball averaged 6.75 assists per game in NBL play). That would give the Cavaliers three young guards that could attack the rim or facilitate for someone else.
What could make that young trio of guards work is an experienced frontcourt, and that is what the Cavaliers would get from Love and Drummond. Both are excellent rebounders and could start many fastbreak opportunities for Ball, Porter, and Sexton. Drummond would also benefit from the Cavaliers guards attracting defenders, which would lead to easy lobs for the big man.
Plus, with Porter showcasing his sky high potential as on-ball creator in a comeback against the Miami Heat, as shown below, and being a good passer, Drummond would again get a ton of dump-offs/lobs from the attention Porter and others would draw.
Of the three lineups, I am most intrigued by this one because if Ball can reach his potential, that could accelerate the Cleveland Cavaliers’ rebuild. This lineup would also give the Cavaliers a solid mix of veterans and youth, and Drummond would make up for plenty of mistakes defensively inside the young guards may make off-ball.