Evaluating Cavs guard rotation with Garland, Rubio out

Who will play at backup guard for the Cavs?

Replacing Ricky Rubio doesn’t just mean finding a backup point guard, it also means filling a number of minutes at shooting guard.  53 percent of his minutes this season have come alongside another point guard (almost all of those being with Darius Garland) and the Cavs have had a +16.6 point differential in those 500 or so minutes.

The point guard minutes will likely be filled by a combination of Kevin Pangos and RJ Nembhard. Perhaps a few minutes each game can go with Denzel Valentine or Isaac Okoro as the nominal “point guard” with Evan Mobley and Kevin Love facilitating out of the high post.

Cedi Osman will play the largest role on the wing, shifting more of his minutes over to the 2 instead of operating as the backup 3 with Rubio and Garland. Valentine will likely be a fixture in the rotation, but Bickerstaff has liked him sliding down the lineup to the 3 or 4; even if he plays him in the backcourt it won’t be for significant minutes as the solo play starter.

Finally, the team could look to bring in another player, either using a hardship exception or by cutting one of their big men (Ed Davis or Tacko Fall). One option is Kyle Guy, who is playing for their G League affiliate the Canton Charge and is averaging 20 points per game. Any street free agent is unlikely to provide much value, but they could find a steadying presence somewhere if Rubio is out for the season.