Cleveland Cavaliers: Complete 2021 NBA Free Agency preview

Complete 2021 NBA Free Agency preview: Current Roster

The core of this roster is now young players on rookie contracts, and with the drafting of Evan Mobley in the 2021 NBA Draft they now have one at four of the five positions.

At point guard, Darius Garland is the presumed starter. Just 21 years old, he is entering the third year of his four-year rookie contract. Behind him is the newly acquired Ricky Rubio, who at age 30 has one more year remaining on his deal. Barring an injury he will come off the bench full-time for the first time in his career (he has started 94 percent of his career games).

Shooting guard is a bit more crowded, starting with the high-scoring Collin Sexton, who put up 24.3 points per game last year. He is eligible for an extension on his rookie contract this offseason, and has one year remaining before he hits restricted free agency. Behind him is the oft-injured Dylan Windler, and the team has 27 year old Damyean Dotson on a non-guaranteed deal and could bring him back for depth.

Small forward is the team’s thinnest position, with SG-sized Isaac Okoro expected to start. Cleveland’s 2020 first round pick is entering just the second year of his four-year rookie deal. Behind him is Cedi Osman, who is likewise beginning the second year of his four-year veteran deal.

Power forward is both the most crowded and the most talented. It’s unclear who will start, but the brightest star at the position is rookie Evan Mobley. Former All-Star big man Kevin Love is under contract for two more seasons, and although the team would likely love to trade him the cost would likely be exorbitant just to dump him, and a buyout is increasingly likely.

Also at power forward is Larry Nance Jr., the team’s best defensive player. Nance, along with Sexton are the two players most likely to be moved for value, but while he is still on the team he can be a veteran mentor for Mobley. The team just moved on from Taurean Prince, but he likely would have been on the fringes of the rotation at best.

Backing up those three are a trio of power forwards, all on non-guaranteed contracts. Dean Wade is the most likely to retain; the 24 year old played 1,283 minutes for the team last season and started 19 games. Lamar Stevens and Mfiondu Kabengele are low-cost upside plays that will stick around if the Cavaliers don’t fill their roster slots.

Center is the biggest unknown. Currently the team has no players under contract, with Jarrett Allen hitting restricted free agency and Isaiah Hartenstein declining his player option to hit the open market. Other than small forward and depth on the wing, answering the questions at center is a top priority for the Cavs heading into free agency.