Cavs: Predicting the final 15-man roster as training camp opens

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Kevin Pangos, Zenit St Petersburg. Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images /

Cavs: Predicting the final 15-man roster – Guards

Darius Garland, Collin Sexton, Ricky Rubio, Kevin Pangos

The first three names on this list are locks to not only make the team but be in the rotation. Darius Garland is a candidate to make a major leap forward, while Collin Sexton is hoping to sign a lucrative contract extension before the season begins. Preseason will be a chance to see where both stand.

Ricky Rubio is coming off a down year in Minnesota, which is a statement so common among NBA players they probably have T-shirts. The team is excited to have him aboard, a veteran floor general who can stabilize the bench and teach Garland his “tricks of the trade.” These three players will fill up the bulk of the minutes in the backcourt this season.

Key Battle: Kevin Pangos vs Kyle Guy. The Cavaliers signed Kevin Pangos to a two-year deal, with the first fully guaranteed, meaning he is the runaway favorite to make the roster. That being said, he is an NBA unknown, and it could become clear in training camp he just doesn’t have what it takes. That’s unlikely, but there’s no NBA tape screaming otherwise.

If that does happen, if the door is opened a crack, Kyle Guy is the best candidate to push through. The former national champion at Virginia spent the last two seasons in Sacramento, and he has some fun things to offer with his ball-handling and shooting. He is a candidate for the second two-way spot if he doesn’t manage to push past Pangos in camp.

R.J. Nembhard and Mitch Ballock are interesting players to watch in camp, but at best they are hoping to be surprise candidates for that two-way spot rather than real contenders for a roster spot.