Cavs: Updated starting lineup, rotation after Lauri Markkanen addition

Cavs: Updated starting lineup, rotation – Deep reserves

Damyean Dotson

The Cavaliers have only two point guards on the roster and likewise two small forwards, meaning the team’s options at the 2 could be asked to slide up (Collin Sexton) or down (Dylan Windler), opening up minutes for Damyean Dotson from time to time. To survive in the league he has to demonstrate a consistent jump shot. If not this could be his last season on a roster.

Cedi Osman

There is still hope that Cedi Osman can bounce back from a rough 2020-21 season and prove himself to be a worthy part of the rotation. He will likely be the first option if Dylan Windler misses time to step back into the rotation, and it’s also possible Bickerstaff picks Osman over Windler to start the year. The Turkish wing is still just 26 years old and has shown in the past he is worthy of minutes. A bounceback year from him would be a major help to the Cavs’ depth.

Dean Wade

One of the surprise standouts from last season, Dean Wade is the “best” of the five non-guaranteed contracts on the roster but gets pushed out of the regular rotation due to a complete logjam at power forward. The 4 is the more natural position for Evan Mobley, Lauri Markkanen, Kevin Love, Lamar Stevens, Dean Wade and Mfiondu Kabengele. Multiple injuries would likely need to happen for Wade to get regular minutes once again, but he will be a trustworthy option when called upon.

Mfiondu Kabengele

The Cavs are trying to transition Mfiondue Kabengele into a full-time center role, playing him exclusively at the 5 as they did in NBA Summer League. He will likely be the team’s emergency center going into the season, or he will be cut if the team chooses Tacko Fall or signs another player (Isaiah Hartenstein is still available) to fill the role.

Tacko Fall

One of the best names in the league, Tacko Fall is signed only to a non-guaranteed training camp deal. If he can show enough in camp to replace Kabengele on the roster it will be surprising, but also a welcome fact that the team’s developmental center shows some amount of promise. It’s not a significant need for the team long-term as Mobley looks to share the center minutes with Allen down the road, but for now it’s something the team needs.

The addition of Lauri Markkanen could push Evan Mobley out of the starting lineup, but more likely he will come off the bench. His presence likely pushes Dean Wade out of the regular rotation but allows Lamar Stevens to step in, and lineups with Stevens, Isaac Okoro and Ricky Rubio are less damaging on offense with his spacing. How the rotation plays out over the next few months will be something to watch.