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3 potential lineups the Cavs could use involving James Wiseman

By Mason Cole

Former Memphis Tigers big man James Wiseman waits on the floor during a timeout. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
Former Memphis Tigers big man James Wiseman waits on the floor during a timeout. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /
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Kevin Porter Jr., Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers big man Kevin Love (left) talks with Cleveland wing Kevin Porter Jr. in-game. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Potential Cleveland Cavaliers lineup #1 involving Wiseman: Garland-Porter Jr.-Dylan Windler-Kevin Love-Wiseman

This could be the most effective lineup the Cavaliers deploy involving James Wiseman. For Wiseman to reach his fullest NBA potential he must become a player who can be dominant in the low-post.

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He has great size and length for his position, and once he’s in an NBA facility, it would make sense that he would begin to add more strength and muscle as well. If Wiseman is able to develop into a low-post beast, this Cavs lineup would be the best for maximizing that potential.

Garland, Dylan Windler, Love and Kevin Porter Jr. (from a spot-up perspective in particular) are all good shooters from behind the three-point arc. If Wiseman spends most of his game time working from within the low-post, having kick-out options surrounding him makes the most sense.

Wiseman would have the proper spacing needed to succeed in post-up situations, and with four solid shooters on the perimeter, it would be tough for teams to execute double teams.

This lineup could also be beneficial for Porter Jr. The styles of play of both Wiseman and Porter Jr. could fit together nicely for two reasons. The first being in Porter Jr. isolation plays.

In his sophomore season, Kevin Porter Jr. is going to have more opportunities to create plays as a ball handler, and with Wiseman’s athletic ability, he could turn into a great pick-and-roll partner for Porter Jr., as KJG’s Amadou Sow previously highlighted.

Both players would be viewed as scoring threats by opposing defenses. Porter Jr., who had 10.0 points per game as a rookie and came on as the season progressed, would be a threat due to his ability to attack the basket as well as create space for pull-up jump shots, and Wiseman would be a threat because of his alley-oop potential.

The second reason why this duo could be lethal for the Cavaliers is because of Porter Jr.’s potential as a cutter. With Wiseman in the low post and solid spacing around the perimeter, there would be plenty of opportunities for Porter Jr. to cut to the paint for a Wiseman pass and score on a dunk or layup. This of course would all depend on Wiseman’s ability to see the court and make the correct pass.

This lineup could maximize Wiseman’s abilities as a low-post player on offense. The main concern that would come with it would be on defense. Garland and Love are not great defenders at their positions, and Windler remains a mystery after missing his entire rookie season due to complications involving a stress reaction in his left leg.

This lineup would put a lot of pressure on Wiseman and Porter Jr. to carry the team defensively. Although both players are young and have the size and athleticism necessary to be great NBA defenders in time, carrying an entire lineup defensively is a lot to ask of them.

But despite the defensive concerns, this still would be a great lineup for Bickerstaff to use to maximize the talents of Wiseman.