The Cleveland Cavaliers rode a roller coaster of starting lineups last year, with frequent injuries and midseason trades shuffling the deck of available options. By the end of the season, 11 different players started at least six games for the team, and eight players started at least 25.
The Cavs have to be hoping for some more stability this season. Some of that will come naturally, as the roster will look very similar to how it did at the end of last year. They also should be healthier this year, making sure the team’s best players are available.
The Cavs didn’t make a lot of moves this offseason, but a few key moves should change their rotation for next season
Ricky Rubio is the only new face on the roster, acquired in a trade from the Minnesota Timberwolves. Otherwise, the top eight players in terms of minutes played last season will be back this year. That continuity will help this roster find its rhythm early.
Will Cleveland embrace its youth movement and start the five youngsters, or will they try to balance the future with some veterans better able to win now? Is owner Dan Gilbert and the rest of the organization ready for another poor season if they focus on future development?
Who will start for the Cavs, who will fill out the rotation, and finally who will be at the end of the bench?