3 burning questions the Cavs should answer before the playoffs

Burning question #2: Should Caris LeVert start or continue to come off the bench?

LeVert has had an interesting start for the Cavaliers with his best game coming as a starter and his play off the bench being questionable at best. This trend has followed LeVert for his entire career with his play as a starter vs. his play off the bench being night and day. It’s that reason why it makes sense to slot him into that starting two spot for the remainder of the season, when LeVert is back healthy.

This decision could help the Cavs get off to quicker starts and create more off-ball opportunities for Darius Garland. Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff could also play Garland and LeVert similar to how SexLand is utilized, staggering their minutes to give more on-ball opportunities to the both of them and have them play off of each other in clutch situations.

Burning question #3: How deep into the bench should the team go in the playoffs?

Playoff basketball changes how lineups operate and how deep into the bench a team goes. For the Cavaliers, the case for minutes gets interesting considering they legitimately have 10-11 that deserve some.

A starting lineup of Garland, LeVert, Markkanen, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen is the team’s best group and gives them their best chance at winning, in my opinion. Isaac Okoro should continue to get steady minutes seeing as he’s the team’s best perimeter defender.

Kevin Love is the team’s spark off the bench and the veteran presence will be needed so he should continue to get minutes as well. With those seven players locked in, the next 1-2 “potential” players in the rotation are up for grabs.

Cedi Osman may seem like the obvious choice but with the playoffs being about having the smallest margin of error, his inconsistencies will shorten his “leash.” Rajon Rondo is known to improve his play during the playoffs but at 36, can he still play at a level that deserves steady minutes? Dean Wade has plugged into the starting lineup when necessary but Lauri Markkanen and Kevin Love means there is little need for him.

Lamar Stevens has registered many DNPs when the team is healthy and that trend should continue in the playoffs. A 7-8 man rotation seems likely for this playoff run with the potential of players stepping up if they are called upon as we have seen in years past.

No one expected the team to even have playoff talks so getting to this point makes the season a success. This postseason will be the start of a potential run over the next decade or so.