Cavs: Ranking the candidates to be in the closing lineup

Cavs: Ranking the candidates to be in the closing lineup – Unlikely Candidates

No-shot: Kevin Pangos, Denzel Valentine, Tacko Fall/Ed Davis

Tacko Fall is massive, and he will have a role on this team unless the newly signed Ed Davis is retained instead. That being said he has very little chance of closing games. If the Cavs want a true center out there, they will play Jarrett Allen. If Davis does make the roster, the story will be basically the same, as he will be just a glorified veteran mentor.

Kevin Pangos finds himself behind two point guards much more likely to close. Denzel Valentine would have to win the “backup wing job” and then find himself in a matchup where his skillset is more valuable that Isaac Okoro’s. That combination is overwhelmingly unlikely to come to pass.

Long shot: Dean Wade, Cedi Osman, Kevin Love

Keivn Love being a long shot to close may seem crazy, but the Cavs have already replaced his role on the roster by adding Lauri Markkanen. If the Cavs want to close with a stretch-big they will put Markkanen, not Love, on the court. Dean Wade similarly is in a position crunch, and despite his solid play in replacement duty last season is unlikely to ever be chosen over the combination of Evan Mobley, Lauri Markkanen and Lamar Stevens.

Cedi Osman has closed games in the past for the Cavs, and it’s not crazy to see the path to him being the offensive wing option in Okoro’s stead. This is also a vote of confidence in Dylan Windler being above Osman in the pecking order, relegating Osman to a spot rotation role instead of a shot at closing.