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

Cavs: Predicting the final 15-man roster – Wings

Isaac Okoro, Cedi Osman, Dylan Windler, Lamar Stevens, Denzel Valentine

The weakest group on the team, the Cleveland Cavaliers don’t have a single player at small forward who looks to be on a star trajectory. There is absolutely still optimism that Isaac Okoro could take a leap forward, but right now the most likely outcome is he becomes an excellent wing defender and mediocre offensive player who is a low-end starter or high-end backup. Hopefully he breaks free of that expectation, but that’s where things stand.

Dylan Windler is the team’s other shot at a plus-starter at small forward, but he has played in just 31 games over two seasons due to injury. Cedi Osman is another lock for the roster right now, but unless he proves to the team that last season was a slump and now a permanent step backward, he could be traded before or during the season.

Lamar Stevens is on a non-guaranteed contract, but he is not only a near-lock to make the team, but probably a strong candidate to be in the rotation as well. He is the team’s best defender for combo forwards, and he will replace much of Larry Nance Jr.’s role on the team.

Key Battle: Denzel Valentine for the 15th spot. The former Chicago Bulls player is the most vulnerable player we are projecting to make the roster, the owner of that final “15th spot.” The team needs someone who can play minutes at the 3, which gives Valentine the edge over a player like Kyle Guy. That being said, if Guy, Ballock or even one of the bigs balls out in preseason Valentine could find himself passed over. It’s also possible a player is cut elsewhere in the league that the Cavs value over Valentine.